this is your last chance...

So last night Stampin' Up! released their greatly anticipated Last Chance List - a list of all the products which will be retiring at the end of the month to make way for more new and exciting things in the new catalogue on October 1st! SOME of the stamp sets and accessories are on sale for up to 40% also!!! Now what girl doesn't like a sale?!

To view this list visit here. So if there is anything on that list that you had your eye on, NOW is the time to get it. ALL those products will be retiring on September 30th and then they will be gone, thats right - GONE!

All these products are on a first come first serve basis and it is not uncommon for items to sell out in September! So don't hesitate order today!

If you would like to see more of the retiring list and products I am holding a Last Chance weekend, filled with parties!! You are very welcome to attend at my home (for details where I live please email). Please let me know asap if you wish to attend any of the following dates...

Friday 2nd September at 7:30pm
Saturday 3rd September at 2pm
Monday 5th September at 7:30pm

If you wish to attend, please email me on amanda_burditt@hotmail.co.uk

As items sell out I will update you, please remember that many of the items from the mini catalogue will retire too.

Hugs!

Amanda xx

floral brooch

I'm still here! After a busy week of posts everyday last week I haven't much to share at the moment, I have been busy getting all my projects ready for my May and June classes (I have some very exciting and cute projects in store so please do book your place and come along - I'm sure you won't regret it!) As a result of class planning, I haven't had much time to play (I want my class projects to be a bit of a surprise so look out for postings after my class!) 

I scoured my photo archives today just to see if there was anything I hadn't yet shared that I could put up for you all to see and I found this cute little rosette! I saw this a few weeks ago on the lovely and talented Amanda Fowler's blog, to see her tutorial on how to make them see here.

Ribbon Rosette 

Stamp Set: N/A

Cardstock: Melon Mambo

Ink: N/A

Accessories: Satin Ribbon (non SU - I wish SU sold bright pink - melon mambo - coloured satin ribbon!!!), Basic Rhinestones 

Extras: 1 3/8" Circle Punch

I cut slits in the ribbon at intervals and rounded the corners then using the heat tool heated the ribbon until it began to curl and melt a bit. When I was satisfied I covered a piece of cardstock in SNAIL and began winding and sticking the ribbon to the cardstock to form a rosette. After a while, when I was finally happy with it I cut off the excess and added a bunch of different sized rhinestones to the centre to finish it off! 

Its so gorgeous, I makes a perfect brooch or even a lovely little accent for a card!!! 

Stuart and I are going away to Chester for a couple days, using our wedding present from his brother Richard and cousin Andrew which was a afternoon tea for two and overnight stay at this fancy hotel. Looking forward to relaxing and getting away from it all for a bit and spending some quality time with my lovely hubby...I'm a little nervous leaving all my creative things at home and no access to them 'till Friday night...I'm well and truly an addict!!! Seriously I am! EEK!! 

Finally, I just want to let you know I have another workshop scheduled for Friday May 6th at mine at 7:30pm so please do come along! I'd love to see you there! 

Also, don't forget to book your place for my May class! I am soo excited!!

Take Care, 

Amanda xoxo

another successful workshop and a general update

Ok, so just to fill you in on the last few days, on Thursday I went over to another demonstrator's house in Northampton (because she found me on the demo finder and we thought it would be lovely to meet up and share some ideas with each other! and have some crafty play) It was so great to meet her and spend some time with another Stampin' Up! demo, that's the sad thing about having an upline that lives in Shetland! Anyway, Vicky was super lovely...and she let me play with her Big Shot!!! *Gasp* It is such a dream to use! I loved it so much and its so great all the materials you can run through it! It would be fab to cut out a load of different shapes that can then be layered on top of one another. I cut out a bunch of different little shapes so I can play at home, I intend to have a go next week and then I shall upload some photos of things I did! (Now, I cannot wait 'till my birthday in August to get my own Big Shot...but I shall be patient!)

Friday I had the day off, my friend Donna came over, I cooked a great Chinese feast - Spring Rolls, Vegetable & Noodle Stirfry, Chicken & Cashew Stirfry, Beef in Oyster Sauce, and Sweet and Sour Pork! It was SO yummy!! My hubby doesn't eat Chinese so I have to take advantage of times like these when I have friends over and just go all out...at least now I have lots of nice left overs to munch on! So we sat and ate our feast and watched Confessions of a Shopaholic...such a funny film! Unfortunately the only downside to yesterday was a rather sore throat and feeling a bit on the unwell side! 

Today I woke at the crazy early time of 7:30am after a bad nights sleep. My throat was worse, I felt awful and I had a workshop later today! I almost thought I wasn't going to make it! Thank goodness for Lemsips! I dosed myself up on Lemsip and made it to Ally's workshop! Despite my croaky voice and feeling under the weather, it went really well! I met some new people which was great (I hope I was sociable enough) and got to catch up with old friends and acquaintances! I'm so glad that my workshops are going so well, its so encouraging and I am really looking forward to running my classes soon! I already have one person signed up for my class on May 21st! It is so encouraging to see all the interest I am receiving at the moment! Thanks for everyone that has supported/supporting me in what I am doing at the moment! 

Please do get in touch if you would like to attend my class next month. 

Thanks again,

Amanda xoxo

14 people...

It was a bit of a mission tonight at a workshop I did for my husband's aunt Deb, when I had 14 ladies to entertain and try to keep under control! They all seemed to have a great time, they loved watching the cards come together so quickly especially all the embossing I did, and the stamp-a-ma-jig was a hit too! They seemed really excited to make their own magnet...but by golly that was a mission to get everyone organised! I never expected so many to come! We had to do the make and take in two sessions...so it finished a lot later than was expected, but that was always going to be the case when you have that many all trying to do the same thing and needing help and advice along the way! I felt like I needed to be in six different places all at the same time! 


I only got one more booking, with another of Stu's aunts, but hopefully I'm getting some of the ladies hooked on crafty things! (especially ones that have never tried anything like this before! I totally understand that its a lot to take in at once!) I really do think its so nice to be able to come out for an evening and just relax, not have the worry of other things you should be doing, or kids nagging at you and just have fun being creative! And learning how simple it really is! So simple that ANYONE can do it!  


I'll post some photos of the cards and magnet I demonstrated tomorrow....its late now and I'm shattered! 


Also, a couple days ago I promised more on the builder wheel! Its been a massively busy weekend, much more so than I was expecting it to be, and haven't yet finished my entry. I will finish it tomorrow, take a photo of the card we made at training using the builder wheel and post that tomorrow too...two posts in one day, now that can't be a bad thing, can it!?


One last thing, if you're free and in the area, I am holding a workshop on Friday 15th April at 7:30 and all are welcome to come! There will even be a little extra something for anyone who attends as it is the week before Easter! Very exciting!! (I wonder if I am still entitled to an easter egg now I am a grown married woman?!) 


Take care, 


Catch you tomorrow,


Amanda xx

workshops, classes and clubs

Tonight was my workshop, it went really well, although as always when I demonstrate my clear stamps decided they didn't want to work for me and kept falling off the clear block! I had little love hearts dotted all the way down my card, but I don't think anyone minded too much! You have to just laugh it off don't you?! Besides from that, I had a great time and I hope they all enjoyed it too! I really am enjoying doing the workshops, its a lot less scary than I thought it would be and it is such a joy to share my passion with others! Also its great to get to know new people and see a whole different side of people that I already know too!


Workshops: So far I have one workshop scheduled at my house in April. This workshop is on Friday April 15th at 7:30pm. Please do get in touch if you would like more details about it or would like to host your own workshop! I would love to come and show you and your friends the gorgeous products Stampin' Up! has to offer and show you all how easy it is to create really beautiful designs! I have 2 workshops that others are hosting next month too which I am VERY excited about! I am delighted to be showing heat embossing, stampin' pastels, blender pens, two step stamping with a stamp-a-ma-jig and more! If you would like to see these techniques too, come along to my April workshop or book your own! I'd love to show you too! 
I know it is a little busy next month with Easter and the Royal Wedding but I hope you will find time to relax and do something creative! 


Classes/Clubs: Secondly, I am really excited to tell you that I am intending on starting up some sort of a class/club really soon! It is only in the initial thought process and planning stage at the moment but I hope to hold my first one in the near future! 
I am intending on holding them once a month in my home and while there will be no commitment to attend every month, places will be limited and therefore if you would like to come you will need to book your place! 
Each class will involve making several projects, including a 3d item. For this, there will be a fee (price is still to be decided - probably somewhere around the £10 mark) to cover the cost of materials used. As a class differs from a workshop each guest will get to make all the projects I demonstrate instead of the usual one simple 'make and take' typically done in a workshop.
It is a great way to relax and unwind and get to "play" with more of Stampin' Up!'s products before purchasing anything and also learning how to get the most out of the products you already have! Plus, I will be on hand to help if you have any questions, which is always good if you're trying out a new technique! 
If this interests you, please get in touch as I cannot begin holding classes until I have sufficient interest! I have about 4 people who have shown an interest so far but I need more! Please do get in touch, email me at amanda_burditt@hotmail.co.uk
I look forward to hearing from you soon! 


I'm sure everyone is glad it is the weekend, I certainly am! Its been a very busy week and I'm looking forward to some cleaning, tidying and hanging out in the garden enjoying the gorgeous spring weather with my husband tomorrow. We might even go out on a little adventure...how exciting hey? Can't wait! I hope you are all going to enjoy equally pleasant weekends! 


'till next time,


xoxo

still running...

Wow it was a busy weekend! 


I had my workshop on Friday night, and although I only had 4 people attend but it still went really well, it was such a nice relaxing evening and really got to just chill and relax with my guests. They all had a good time too! Don't forget my next workshop is on Friday 25th March so come check it out, its sure to be fun! 


Saturday was taken up with chores and getting passport photos done in order to change my name for my upcoming trip to the states for my cousin's wedding. That evening was our kids youth group and we had organised a live board game mystery (like a murder mystery but without the murder bit!) It was really good fun and the kids all seemed to have a blast! 


Sunday was spent at church with meetings pretty much all day so I still haven't had the chance to upload all the cool cards and stuff I've made over the last week or so...


I'm off to photograph them all now so I will be back really shortly with exciting things to show off! 


Hope you're all having a great Monday! 


Amanda xx

for sale

Sorry I haven't been on the blog for a few days, to be honest I've been busy making cards and candles for my husband to take into the school where he works so he can sell them. I'm really excited about this, and hope that it will be the beginning of bigger things to come! It always gives me a little thrill to know someone has bought one of my cards and that they will be giving it to someone else to wish them that special little message, whether it be for a birthday, a thank you or just a thinking of you note! I love knowing my creations are bringing a little bit of joy to another. 


I'll upload some photos of cards etc a bit later (maybe tomorrow) but for now I've gotta get going with these items for Stu. 


Don't forget, if you're free and in the Northampton area, please feel free to stop by my workshop on Friday evening. For more details, get in touch! 


Have a lovely evening,


Amanda xo

a few photos from the weekend!

All these images are courtesy of Honor Rankin. She came to stay with my friend Laura for the weekend and therefore came to the workshop I held on Friday evening! First off a few of the workshop, creativity and end results of the make and takes! 

Laura with her I{Heart} Hearts creation!

Honor with her I {Heart} Hearts creation!

Me showing Kate how to decorate a candle!

Creativeness in action!

On Saturday afternoon we had some people over for an afternoon of fun and games, it was great fun! My brother-in-law, Richard, and cousin-in-law, Andrew, complete with fancy dress costumes. (They only stayed for a short while as they were off to do games for my second-cousin-in-law, Harry's fifth birthday party! The guys' costumes were amazing!!

Richard riding a bucking bull (left) and Andrew riding a raring horse (right)

I hope you enjoyed this brief snapshot into my weekend, I had so much fun, it was a really great weekend. 

Seeing the boys in those costumes = priceless

xoxo

march workshop dates.

So far I have 2 workshops planned for March at my house. The first is on Friday 11th at 7:30pm and the second is on Friday 25th at 7:30pm. I will be showing off some lovely products and you will also get to have a go at making something to take home with you! There might even be the odd surprise for people that attend! Both workshops will be showcasing the same lovely demonstrations and products, the 2 dates is to simply give you an option as to which date is more suitable for you! I hope many of you will be able to make it! If you would love to come but neither of these dates are suitable, let me know and I will do my best to arrange another workshop to suit you! Alternatively, host a workshop, have a bunch of your friends over for a fun evening and get a load of freebies (just for hosting - its totally worth it!). 


I am really excited to be a demonstrator now, the nerves of speaking in front of a group of people is starting to decrease slightly and without trying to sound full of myself I am becoming more aware of my ability to do such a job! I just can't wait to share my love of paper crafting and stamping with even more people! It is such a joy to be able to share it with you all both here on my blog from day to day and also at the workshops. Its also fantastic to see others enjoying it too! The positivity so far has been unreal! Thank you to all who have given me support over the past few weeks and especially this past week in my new venture...I hope for even bigger and better things in the future! 


Amanda xoxo

i am excited!

Last night was my second workshop, and I think it went well! I think I was actually a little more nervous about this one as it was my friends and peers, some of whom I studied art with at university so I had big expectations to live up to! They all seemed to have fun though and I was extremely impressed by their lateral interpretation of the make and take! It was so fun to see what they had created using the basic idea from the card I demonstrated using I {Heart} Hearts. I also got a further booking, its not 'till August but that just means I have more time to get excited about it and think of lots of exciting things to show! 

Secondly, on waking this morning and wandering downstairs, there was some post waiting on the mat for me...excitement in itself as I am a HUGE fan of getting post! It was the new mini catalogue from Stampin' Up! WOW!! there are so many cool things in there and I cannot wait until August 1st when I can share it with you all! There is some uber cool things in there and I think I am going to have to get saving now!!! Also VERY excited for regional training to meet other demonstrators and learn more about the products in the mini catalogue! That's all I can say for now, but until the big release on April 1st, watch this space for more creations using items in the main catalogue. 

Hope you're all having a great and fun filled weekend! 

Love, 

Amanda x

my first workshop = a success!

This afternoon I had my first workshop, hosted by my wonderful Mom! She had 7 guests and they all seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves! It was a really fun mixture, a lady from my Mom's work who is into papercrafting, but hasn't tried stamping so much and her Mom, a friend that has dabbled in papercrafting (mainly doing her wedding stationary) and then some people from Mom's church who havent really every done much before! So it was really fun being able to introduce them all to the wonderful world of Stampin' Up! 


They especially loved the candle (see a few posts below) I also added tiny little rhinestones to the centres of the pumpkin pie flowers just to jazz it up a little and give a little sparkle! The So Many Thanks demo was also really successful! I was very impressed at how well I did. I went for a run through with Stuart late last night and my mind just kept going blank and I could not explain myself or what I was trying to do at all! I was SO nervous!!! 


The make and takes proved a hit too, I think they really enjoyed getting stuck in and trying out the stamps and inks for themselves! My Mom's colleague brought her daughter, nephew and niece along too. They just played Nintendo DS most of the time but after a bit of persuasion, the little niece got stuck into the make and take. She was so sweet and really enjoyed making her card, it turned out absolutely beautiful!! She is a very talented little girl! 


Mom made some really yummy date and orange cake and some apple sauce muffins, a really nice treat for everyone while they browsed the catalogue, and completed their orders! 


I know a lot of people kept telling me before today, you'll be fine, you can do it, and I knew I believed it but I still was really nervous and slightly uncertain of my ability to pull it off. Having now done it, I feel my confidence has grown hugely and I am so excited to have more workshops now. Next one is on Friday night at mine. I also managed to book one with my friend who was there today and Mom's work colleague! I am SO excited!! 


I fully intended to take a few photos to document my first workshop, mainly for sentiment sake, unfortunately I forgot. To be honest, I was bound to forget something and I think of all the things to forget, that was not a major thing to slip my mind! Perhaps I will take a few on Friday! 


I just want to say a huge thank you once again to Rhoda, my upline, for all the help she has been. (Rhoda - they loved looking at the patterned paper swatch cards you made for me - Thank you!!!)


Now, I didn't get to bed til way gone 2am and woke at 8 something this morning. I am off for a well deserved sleep! 


Thanks for taking an interest, reading, and please do leave a comment! I love reading them all and hearing your thoughts about things I do and create! 


Love to you all, 


Amanda xx

everyone has to begin somewhere...mine is here!

So, here we go, I have just become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, which I am totally excited about! Its such a fabulous opportunity to meet new people, especially people who are into paper crafting and also share my love of paper crafting with others! If you would like to host a workshop in your home and learn more about the wonderful Stampin' Up! family and all the awesome products they sell, please get in touch! Also, for hosting a workshop you get lots a cool free stuff so its totally worth it, and all you have to do is invite your friends over for an evening and maybe provide a cuppa! what could be simpler!? So not only do you get a fun evening with your friends, you can learn how easy and simple it is to be creative! It really is so easy, anyone can do it! 


So far I'm having one workshop this month at my place to get me going, so if you're free and in Northampton on Friday 25th February at 7:30pm, come along and check it out. I promise it will be fun! 


As for this blog, I hope to post news of any exciting offers Stampin Up! has going and also share a few cards and projects I make. You might just see something here that you're dying to know how to make, if that's the case, drop me a line and we'll organise a party! 


It really is such a joy to be able to share what I love with others and even get a little bit of money for doing it! If you think becoming a demonstrator is something you would like to do, please don't hesitate to get in touch and ask me how easy it really is! (you get discount too!)