Smudges

THE Demo Day

2011-11-13T15:18:00.001Z

Well, it came and went, Sir Stampalot's 4th Ultimate Rubber Stamping Day and what a day it was. The girls had loads of fun demo'ing, their projects were out of this world, the weather was okey dokey, the food was yummy and plentiful and the customer support from you guys was wonderful.

Louise
Copic Louise's demo table was adorned with the most beautiful cards and projects all gorgeously coloured with copic markers.

Louise loves the Tilda range from Magnolia as well as the Molly Blooms designs too:

I love the gift idea of the sweetie topper she's created for the bag of sweets and lollies you can see here in the bottom left of the photo:

I may have to "lift" that idea for a few Christmas presents :)
One of the brilliant techniques Louise was demo'ing on the day was the use of stamp and bond and glitter to create an all over glitter effect on any die cut - check out the tree below, and also the way she's decorated the lamp post die cut from Marianne Creatables:

And one of my favourites is the way Louise has created this card using the Molly Blooms postcard and frosty stamp (cut with the postage stamp punch as it fits beautifully), with the tilda peeking over the top, the very useful Christmas verse from Woodware and the Martha Stewart punch around the page snowflake design framing the magnolia sheet of pattered mini paper.

Keep up-to-date with Louise's artwork by following her blog : Just Love To Stamp.

Crafty Lou
Crafty Lou was in her element again with versacolour cubes, magnolia stamps and cream shrink plastic:

Here's an adorable card using one of the latest stamp designs from Magnolia : Tucked Up Tilda in Stocking. Love the coordinating paper patch on the stocking heal that Lou has used which matches the background layers.

Leading upto the demo day, Lou was busy decorating this fab Kaisercraft tree:

Lou's used shrink plastic (funnily enough!) to shrink down stamp designs by both Molly Blooms and Magnolia, along with one of the latest Tim Holtz decorative strip dies : Festive Greenery.
Pumpkin 1 , Pumpkin 2 and a Halloween Tilda feature at the base of the tree to complete the look:

And here's some more of her fabulous artwork she was demo'ing on the day:

To find out more about Lou's creations, you can follow her blog at Crafty Lou's Small world.

Gina
Gina demonstrated the very versatile Rubber Stamp Tapestry sets:

This sample below used the lovely new set from Rubber Stamp Tapestry - Poinsettia Twist and part of the Art Impression sentiment.

Here's the new gingerbread set and the Art Impressions script sentiment.

And you guys were loving this one using the Marianne Creatables cut and emboss die Frame along with the Noel Rubber Stamp Tapestry set.

Here's another example of those two products:

In the same range as the Marianne Creatables die Frame, they also do this wonderful half frame too, called Swirls:

And of course there was plenty of glitter!! You can't use the words Gina and Christmas without also incorporating the glitter word!

Kim
Kim Reygate joined us this year after bad weather conditions last year meant she missed coming up for our 3rd Ultimate Rubber Stamping Day. Kim was busy inking up her projects with the brand new Winter series set of distress inks and the Fall set too.

She had some of the latest stamp releases from Hobby Art to show you as well as favourites from Penny Black and Woodware to name but a few wonderful.

You can see more of Kim's creations on her blog Kimx

Brenda
Now, Brenda had been very productive with her series of patterned paper wreaths (based on a design one of our lovely customers had shown her). Brenda had them displayed all around her demo area:

Here's a close up of one:

She very kindly produced an instruction sheet of how to make it (which you can pick up instore or download from Brenda's blog - Floral Fantasies).

This technique I just adore, the end result is so stunning:

Brenda's created the card by doing some simple brayering and sponging with Adirondack inkpads. The fence is hand-drawn, but the stag and tree are from Art Impressions and the sentiment stamp is from Penny Black.

Here are some more scenes Brenda created on the day:

And some more cards she brought along with her:

Brenda's Blog : Floral Fantasies

Chris
Now, I expect you've all seen Chris' fabulous advent calendar using the Kaisercraft kit:well, she's adapted the kit and used embellishments and patterned papers to create this goregous jewellery box:

Chris also demo'd the crafty edger punch system, frantage embossing powders from Stampendous, and used this lovely script stamp from MSE

And I loved this card Chris created on the day using Molly with Holly and lots of patterned paper and gems and templates from the I-Rock system.

Here's an overview photo of lots of the projects Chris created for the demo day:

See more of Chris' artwork on her blog : Always About Colour

Lisa
Our scrapbooking guru and altered art favourite Lisa Maybank needed the most table and display space to show you guys lots of her stunning artwork:

And she even found time to decorate her table with icicles - very festive.

Lisa loves her tilda's too:

This was her main project she was creating before your eyes on the day:

Lisa just can't get enough of all little trinkets and embellishments - they make a world of difference to the finished projects and give such a uniqueness.And just check out all these mini books she loves to create:

And here's one of her amazing altered art projects:

If you enjoyed checking out these projects from Lisa, keep an eye on the class schedule, Lisa runs lots and lots of classes but they fill up quickly so book early to avoid disappointment.

Next class schedule for the first quarter of 2012 will be released at midday on Monday 19th Dec 2011.

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Eddy and Steph where on catering duty and acting as runners and did a brilliant job as always, thanks guys. And if you didn't see the most amazing pumpkin on the day, here's a couple of piccies:

This was a couple of hours creative carving by Steph, isn't she just the best?

Thanks from me and the team at Sir Stampalot and the demo'ing girls to everyone who came and supported us; it wouldn't be such a wonderful day if you weren't there!

And well done to Marilyn from Woodston, Peterborough - she was the lucky lady who won the prize draw. She is now the proud owner of all these goodies (including a Slice machine and a digital camera) and boy was she excited - like a child in a sweet shop. Well done Marilyn, wishing you many more happy hours crafting.

We've decided that it would be nice that next year's Ultimate Rubber Stamping Day (our 5th!) should also be held that weekend around Halloween, so pencil in on Sat Oct 27th 2012 (to be completely confirmed later next year).

Right then, that's all for now folks.

Happy crafting- janicex

Festive Antics

2011-09-15T20:39:00.000+01:00

During the Bank Holiday weekend in August, we at Sir Stampalot held our annual Christmas Launch. We had 3 days of wonderful demo's from 5 different, wonderfully creative, crafting ladies.

CLARE ROWLANDS

We started on the Saturday with Clare Rowlands and Gina Martin. Clare, who is the designer and inspiration behind the cute Molly Blooms stamp range, demo'd for us with lots of beautiful projects as always:

Clare's eye for colour combinations is something else:

This card features Clare's mitten border which has been paper pieced, along with Molly at Christmas and the Jolly Snowman postmark.

And Clare often has a little comical aspect to her projects, below, you can see the gingerbread man is disappearing into the Snowy Postbox!. The winter cabin makes a great background scene behind the aperature featuring Molly with Lantern.

Here's a selection of cards and projects Clare brought with her to share at our demo day:

GINA MARTIN

We gave Gina a little bit of a challenge to try something other than her normal routine of stamp range. This time, Gina was playing with Rubber Stamp Tapestry peg sets and clear sets and she came up with some wonderful cards. Of course there had to be glitter too!

This card features the peg set Winter Night Sky and the clear set Flourish Plate 2 which has this gorgeous font - love it.

Gina's taken a normal easel card to the next level here, and has created a double easel card using the Deer Forest peg set and again that lovely font clear stamp set.

Gina also demo'ed how to use the Marianne Creatable dies and embossing folders:

This mini poinsettia die set looks great with patterned paper and the framed embossed die just on white paper is really elegant.

LINDSAY MASON
First time appearance at Sir Stampalot for Lindsay Mason, and hopefully not her last.

Lindsay was demonstrating some wonderful techniques using the Staz On Spritz Cleaner and alcohol inks. Check out this background sky effect:

The stamps are her new stamps she's released for Christmas and the star has been created merely with a white gel pen.

here's some other creations Lindsay created especially for our Christmas Launch weekend:

This set by Lindsay is called Build a Snowy Scene. Such a wonderful wintery set of stamps.

These elves are sooo cute. The holly punch around the page set is from Martha Stewart and I'm loving it. Lindsay has coloured it with distress inks and used red stickles to make the holly berries stand out.

CRAFTY LOU AND CHRIS

These two are just amazing, they keep you all entertained for hours!

Crafty Lou was demo'ing the ever popular Tilda stamps from Magnolia. Here's a selection of her artwork:

clicking on each card images above will take you to the online gallery, i'm hoping to detail the cards this weekend so you can see exactly what Lou used on each one.

And Chris was having too much fun playing too, here's some of her cards.

Again, if you click on the card it'll take you to the online gallery and i hope all cards mentioned here, will be detailed over this weekend.

Chris also created a wonderful wreath made out of lots of yummy Christmas papers and stamp designs, which deserves a blog post all to itself. More on that to follow.....

Date for your Diary
Sir Stampalot's 4th Ultimate Rubber Stamping Demo Day usually takes place the first weekend in December here at Sir Stampalot, Peterborough. Due to recent years bad weather, we've brought that date forward.

The girls will all be back in action on

Saturday 29th October

if you can only visit Sir Stampalot one day this year,
this will be the date you really wouldn't want to miss.

happy crafting

- janicex

Belated - More CHA Reports

2011-02-24T00:04:00.000Z

Where does time go? Sorry it's taken a while to get back to you. You've probably already seen all the new stuff on other blogs and "you tube" clips, but I'll carry on with my reports anyhow as I've got all the photos pre'd and it'll give you an insight into possible new stock arriving soon :)

So on that note, here's some fabby new designs from Stampavie that are due to arrive over the next few weeks:

And here's an overall image of their stand:

always such an amazing array of samples and stamps.

Stampendous are bringing out new jumbo sized stamps:

which make amazing designs:

and can be used on storage boxes:

or on the cover of 12x12 albums:

and here's a board of some other designs (non jumbo) being released:

Now these next set of designs are just the most coolest and I can't wait for them to arrive (just needing barcoding and then they'll be shipped over):

The layout and setup of the booths/stands at CHA was really impressive. Here's some pix to give you an idea:

and it was lovely to see Cranberry Cards exhibiting at the show with their bright, eye catching stand display:

here's some more dressforms (I think this is the term I was looking for one of my previous postings), now these are a little bit weird with their square heads!:

and loved this washing line display:

Some stands even had little games to play along with. Here you had a chance of winning a goodie bag, discount off your order or a tote bag - all good fun!

My next posting will be dedicated to all the new Tim Holtz products.

But in the meantime, I just want to remind any of you local to Peterborough that we have an amazing programme of events lined up as always and this includes this Saturday 26th Feb, Chris Scott demo'ing from 10am - 4pm instore at Sir Stampalot with lots of hero products, a kaiser craft project or two and getting inky with versmagic! Then next Saturday (5th March, also 10am-4pm), the talented designer Clare Rowlands will be joining us and demo'ing her latest release of Molly Blooms stamps - more on that to follow!!

carry on crafting!

- janicex

CHA - Stamps

2011-02-11T21:49:00.001Z

Back again, here's the low down on some stamp companies (new and existing), that we met up with:

La Blanche is a German stamp company that had the most amazing stand set up, sample displays and stamp designs. Here's some samples using their stamps which you'll find instore soon!

this is such a cute design for anniversary cards:

And love this display they had created with microscope slides:

Emily and Ryan from Stamping Bella were just the nicest guys and their stamp ranges were brill. The stamp company has been around a while but it's new for us. We're excited to be stocking their collections - available in store soon. Check out these designs that will be in the the first delivery:

appropriate for many a mother I'm sure:

and then these cute designs:

And this design comes as either a boy or there is another one of a girl and it's adorable:

here's one for you Mel!

The ever popular. prestigious stamp company, Hero Arts, never ceases to fail to amaze and delight with their new stamp designs and accessories. This year is no different with their great new printed papers and new accessories to match:

Here's a couple of card samples that were on display at their stand:

And brilliant news this year is that Hero Arts has teamed up with Basic Grey to bring a new line of coordinating stamps and papers in four themes.

Here's a close up of what one of the cling stamps will be packaged like:

here's a couple of gorgeous samples using both the BG papers and the Hero Stamps:

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on these little characters from La La Land:

Let me know what you think.

Outlines are a fab company who have been going for many years. I've always loved their designs and they additionally have the most amazing, well laid out tutorials online for you to follow. Click here for one of them.

Anyhow, again designs from this company will be appearing in store soon hopefully.
Check out these samples on display at their stand:

love this paper piecing one:

another one just for you Mel:

And this cake image is just superb:

Now I've probably overloaded you guys with far too many piccies again, so I'll finish off reporting on stamp companies in a second blog posting later this weekend.

So for now, enjoy the weekend and have fun crafting
- janicex

CHA - Stamps Vs Dies

2011-02-09T00:09:00.021Z

Now I'm definitely not a big fan of repeatedly cutting out for creating decoupaged creations. So I was chuffed to find not one but several companies now manufacturing stamps and having dies made to fit them. Heartfelt Creations is one of those companies:

check out these stamps, dies and resulting creations - they're brill (and coming instore soon so watch this space!):

can you believe these leaf dies make these stunning flowers:

What a relief to have a die like this one above, with varying flower sizes - as I couldn't bear the thought of cutting each one of the flowers out in the next couple of cards!!

and then the same die set as earlier but in conjunction with different container stamps and also on a page layout giving amazing results:

And here's another company producing stamps and dies to match - hopefully instore really soon:

same base stamp but look how those 2 cards above give completely different end creations.

Apart from the Cuttlebug version 2 and the Cricut Imagine, there's not really much new from Provocraft. The only thing that did catch my eye are these 'all in one' embossing folders.

It's a hinged embossing folder with lego-like parts (positive and negative) so you can build up a matrix of designs to emboss and you know they are always going to be in the right location for you with no moving about.

and here's some of the designs to fit into the hinged embossing folder base:

Another great feature is that you can mix and match the designs from each folder set giving you unique, repeatable results suitable for all occasions.

This company had some cool dies that when embellished with chalk and all corresponding elements layered together, look just so amazing:

Sizzix have brought out a range of dies specifically for jewellery making:

Here's some samples using their 'pro' dies (don't forget pro dies are very large and can currently only be used in the Big Shot Pro or the AccuCut:

Loving these cut and emboss dies:

And here's some samples using their embossing folders:

Finally, a snippet of some of the new Eclips cartridges:

and a couple of shots of samples using the Eclips cartridges:

As always, we will be stocking the very latest Sizzix dies, embossing folders and Eclips goodies, the first of which should begin arriving this March!

Next time, I'll be reporting on various stamp companies I spoke to....

In the meantime, happy crafting

- janicex

More CHA updates

2011-02-06T23:11:00.014Z

Due to numerous requests, I'd had a quick peek at the Bo Bunny booth and loved what I saw. The Double Dots range of papers is not new on the market but new for me and I'm loving them:

Bo Bunny also have some wonderful card pack kits:

and this wonderful clock kit:

and watch out for this project kit instore soon:

and here's some other snapshots taken around their booth:

Here's a couple of another companies supplying 12x12 decorative papers (New Collections in store soon!):

Echo Park:

Love the way that Sassafras makes the most out of the POS strip along the bottom of their 12x12's, check out the cool scalloped border:

Fancy Pants has a neat new collection of papers : space themed

and some lovely Felt effect transparencies to match

My Mind's Eye had some new collections on display too:

And one of our current instore favourites, October Afternoon. There's a new collection coming soon called Boarding Pass but the designs weren't quite ready for CHA so there was just a neat looking 'coming soon' display:

and here's some layouts using collections we already know and love:

Now I've been tracking this lady's newsletters online for a long time and been really intrigued by her fabulous page layouts and paper designs - Scribble Scrabble:

And here's some of her layouts on display in the booth using the new collections she's released for CHA:

These collections have already left her warehouse and heading for our store - isn't that so cool.

Best get some more paper stations cleared out back at base to make room for some of these papers and more.

Anyhow, I'll blog about some wonderful stamp designs next and some exciting accessories to match ....

In the meantime, happy crafting

- janicex

It's that time again - CHA - yah!

2011-01-30T18:01:00.010Z

Well, Andy and I are back in the States at the Craft and Hobby Association show in LA - what a bummer!

Weather is just gorgeous, shame we aren't seeing any of it but we are hard at work for you, sourcing out new collections and products from companies we already work with as well as new and exciting products from companies we don't as yet!

Penny Black was one of our first stops and it was wonderfully to see Shaida, Elizabeth and Susan and catch up on their new stamp designs as well as a new product range for them - trio cardstock. These collections are more or less A4 size but come in wonderful solid colours (single-sided) and a decent thickness of card to make a great base of card making. Here's a sneaky peek at some of their new stamp designs as card samples (also using their new coloured cardstock):

Kaisercraft stand was looking as amazing as ever. Here are some pictures of their new paper collections and blanks to decorate:

At last, what we've all been waiting for, some new watercolouring stamp designs from Art Impressions. Gina, get your marvies out and roll those sleeves up, they're on their way!!

Here's just a little sampler for you:

And some new Girlfriends designs too:

Main things standing out so far around the show are Bird Cages and Mannequin sewing dummy things (can't remember their proper term!):

and cute designs:

Watch out for new stamp designs from Magnolia too, can't show anything yet but here's a sample from their booth that I really liked. It shows circus tilda (which I was very blinkered and could only see her sitting on the circus horse) and she's sitting very pretty in the garden and looks gorgeous:

Loving this design from Mo Manning too:

We are working so hard for you guys that we didn't have time to stop for Starbucks on the first day which didn't go down too well with Andy:

We made up for it after the show with a big pizza from the California Pizza House - yum yum!

Anyhow, It's so exciting seeing all this new stash, can't wait to get it in the shop and start playing - and yes, I'm planning on doing more playing (can't be hard to beat as I've not had much time to do any for the last year and a bit!!!).

Please note, whilst we are here in the States, I'm unable to access emails so please be patient if you have emailed Sir Stampalot. I'll get through all emails on my return as quickly as I can (before I start playing, I promise!). If you have a question or concern that needs addressing more urgently, please don't hesitate to contact the shop directly as my colleagues that weren't as fortunate as us to venture across to CHA, have been left in charge - I have complete faith in them :)

Anyhow, until the next installment....

happy crafting

- janicex

Blog Hop Winners

2011-01-12T18:35:00.004Z

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in our fun blog hop
We hope you enjoyed hopping between our blogs.
It was lovely to peruse all your comments

The winner of the candy on my blog is ..........................

Kat

Kat, please email brenda@ibas.co.uk with your full postal details
so that she can send your prize to you.

A full list of all the winners can be found on the challenge blog

If you are still after participating in some fun, then there’s still plenty of time to enter our January Challenge
A Winter's Tale
For more information, check out the Sir Stampalot Challenge Blog.

Have a lookie here at the fab prize:

It includes a very exclusive set of wood mounted stamps that were very limited when released several years ago and the manufacturer no longer exists now, so the set is no longer available at all, anywhere else! This stamp set itself is worth nearly £70!
Additionally, in this month’s box of prize goodies:
Designer Eyelets &Snaps from We R Memory Keepers
Forget Me Not Blue brads from Lasting Impressions
Forget Me Not Blue assorted buttons from Lasting Impressions
Gold Swirly Clips from Woodware
Happy Birthday clear stamp set from Kelly Panacci
Alpabet Soup rubber stamp set from Printworks
270g Pearl Card from Woodware
Pack of safety pin embellishments
Pastel coloured Flat Pinz from Junkitz
2 packs of Layered Sentiments from Colorbök

Good Luck to Everyone.

Sir Stampalot Blog Hop

2011-01-01T16:00:00.000Z

Happy New Year one and all. I hope you all had a wonderful and reStful ChriStmaS and had plenty of fun laSt night!

ThiS month, Brenda and the GirlS from our Sir Stampalot monthly challenge have organiSed an extra treat for you all in addition to the regular monthly challenge. The additional treat, iS a Blog Hop, which StartS today and will finiSh at midnight BST on 10th January.

For thoSe of you who have never joined in a Hop before thiS iS what you need to do:

1) Start from here and leave a comment on thiS poSt.
2) ViSit all the DT blogS too - nine in total liSted below
3) Leave a comment on each.
4) Collect a letter clue from each
5) USe thoSe letterS along with the oneS already given in the grid below to make two wordS and mail your anSwer to Brenda at brenda@ibaS.co.uk

Your Starting point iS here “SmudgeS” and each blog you viSit will tell you where you Should have arrived from and where you need to go next, but if you get loSt you can come back here and Start afreSh or go to the challenge blog ...........have fun.........

Lorraine
Clare
FranceSca
Brenda
Tracy
SmudeS (you are here!)
Pinky (you go here next!)
ChriS
Sally

_ _ R _ _ A _ _ A _ _ _

Your clue for the letter you need from SmudgeS iS in thiS poSt – good luck.

There will be a prize up for grabS on each blog you viSit and a winner will be Selected from all thoSe who leave a comment. So don't forget to leave me a comment at the bottom of thiS poSt So that you will be entered into the draw the prize for thiS poSt:

There will be a further prize for the winner Selected from all correct anSwerS mailed to brenda at brenda@ibaS.co.uk
Here'S the overall prize, So don't forget to email your anSwer to Brenda in addition to leaving me and all the other Blog Hopping HoStS a comment:

I expect I've miSSed Something So pleaSe don't heSitate to check out all the ruleS on Sir Stampalot monthly challenge blog.

Have fun everyone!
- janicex

Baby It's Cold Outside - It Ain't Much Warmer In Here Either!!!

2010-12-12T22:15:00.000Z

OMG, what fantastic artwork the girls created for our 3rd Ultimate Rubber Stamping Demo Day. On 4th Dec, I was very likely to have 6 of my most brilliantly talented Design Team come and demonstrate for you all. The cold weather didn't keep them away. It was just as cold inside the unit we'd hired for the day but thankfully everyone came well wrapped up.

We were just missing poor 'ole Kim Reygate who was well and truly snowed in down south. You couldn't stop Kim from joining in the fun and games though, as she posted several card samples throughout the day, check out her blog here: Kimx

Copic Louise
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Where this girl finds time to fit in her card making, along with running a hectic household and working instore for me during the week too, who knows - but by jolly, I am glad she does and I know you guys are too.

Here she is, very bubbly and chatty as always, well maybe not so much right at this minute as she's not been well and has a bad back - get well soon Louise.

Louise was demonstrating colouring techniques using Copic pens.

Just check out how vibrant these little Magnolia figures are with their copic colouring:

Here's an array of projects Louise had created for the demo day.

And finally, if you are a magnolia fan and been browsing their magazines, then you may have noticed this project which had been previously featured.

Louise entered Magnolia's challenge to create a project using their range of characters to depict your family. Louise came 2nd - well done. Personally I think she should have come first with this masterpiece but then I am biased.

Here's a close up of her eldest son:

If you want to keep up to date with Louise's artwork, and find out more about some of these cards, then check out her blog here: Just Love to Stamp

If you want to find out more about using Copic markers and getting the most out of them, Louise will be running more all day classes during 2011 both for beginners as an introduction to Copics and also project-based classes for those who've already mastered the basics with Louise previously. These will be held instore at Sir Stampalot Peterborough and dates will be released early January. You really won't be disappointed - guaranteed.
Sign up to our newsletter to be first to get the news and class schedule - Sir Stampalot Newsletter Smudges.

Brenda
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No doubt You'll all be aware of Brenda, she's the inspiration and energy behind our Sir Stampalot Monthly Challenge Blog and also runs her very successful blog: Floral Fantasies.
Brenda has amazing talent for creating beautiful cards and playing with various inking and stamping techniques.

Now she hasn't fallen asleep here, honest! She's concentrating on her brayering and keeping the audience enthralled.

Brenda was also playing with the Melt Pot and creating the most gorgeous glazed roses, in between the fuses blowing due to us overloading the circuit!!

here's a selection of projects Brenda brought along with her on the day:

Chris
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Now I think Chris is showing off how tidy and clear her table was at the start of the demonstration day:

but it didn't take long before she was in-undated with her tools, inks, stamps and projects:

I think we can all relate to that!

Chris just loves the KaiserCraft projects. She made several of the advent calendars:

along with the 9 drawer unit:

and the gorgeous cupcake stand:

Love the way she used the cake stand on the day to display card samples as well as dishes of brads/buttons and also sweeties - yummy!

Here's one of the cards Chris made on the day using the Molly Blooms Bauble design and giving it a wonderful 3D effect:

Find out about Chris's artwork at : Always About Colour

Crafty Lou
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Talking about working space when card making - Lou, do you actually have enough room there to work?

Obviously yes she does, as she was busily demonstrating her very unique style of inking with versacolour cubes. It wouldn't be a Crafty Lou demo without a little cream shrink plastic:

Here's a wonderful spread of cards Lou created for the demo day:

Keep up-to-date with Crafty Lou's creations by visiting her blog : Crafty Lou's Small World.

Gina
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Of course we couldn't have a major demo day without our very own Gina.

Like the way she bribed you all with her tin of sweeties (although I don't think she was alone with this cunning idea - Brenda!):

Gina was working with the Art Impressions range of stamps and demonstrating the wonderful watercolouring technique using Marvy Le Plume II pens:

and of course, it wouldn't be a Gina Christmas Card without a little glitter:

Just a small pot there Gina!!!!??? Don't sneeze!

Lisa
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And finally, Lisa with her festive crown:

Always very helpful, here she is giving Chris a helping hand with something she needed whilst demo'ing :

And very talented, here's a selection of her projects she displayed on the demo day:

including demonstrating how to make a beautiful star decoration out of patterned paper:

and her Magnolia Shrink Plastic Bracelet she taught at one of her all day classes based on inspiration from the Magnolia series of magazines:

as well as showing you how to create quick and easy gifts, namely turning candles from this:

to this:

And finally her beautiful Birdhouse:

watch out for this being featured as one of her classes in 2011.

Thanks to everyone for making it a very enjoyable day, the demonstrators, Clare 'Molly Blooms' Rowlands for running the instore classes throughout the day, catering staff - Eddy and Azaria, runners - Steph and Mandy and photography and camera work by Nick, POS helper my Mum, behind the scenes workers - Jane and my Dad and lastly to all of you who braved the nasty weather to come and support Sir Stampalot and the girls - thank you.

Next instore event: Hero Arts Debut Party - Saturday 18th December - come and see the new 2011 catalogue from Hero Arts, see first-hand new designs before anywhere else, participate in free Make and Takes (10am - 2pm) and join us for Hot Chocolate with all the trimmings :)

- janicex

THE Demo Day

2010-12-02T23:26:00.000Z

Can't believe it's almost here.
THE big day.
Our 3rd Ultimate Rubber Stamping Demo Day.
This Saturday 4th Dec 10am - 4pm.
This is a fab day full of FREE demos, FREE refreshments, and a FREE prize draw.

All the demonstrators are very excited and have been busily prep'ing wonderful samples and ideas to show you on Saturday. We were due to have 7 demonstrations going on but unfortunately Kim Reygate is snowed in and it's very unlikely that she'll make it :(
check out the snow where she lives
We'll miss you Kim, finger's crossed there's a dramatic change and you can make a surprise appearance!

If you want a taster of what it's all about - check out our blog post about last years Ultimate Rubber Stamping Demo Day.

We are also holding some classes on the too. Clare "Molly Blooms" Rowlands will be running a 2hr class at 10:30am and repeating it at 13:30pm. It's just £15 and in addition, you get a brand new, never seen before, stamp included in that fee. Clare's popped a sneak peak of the project on her blog:

Here's more info about Saturday listing all our talented, creative ladies demo'ing for you on the day (and also some info about our 12 hour Mega Sale day on 23rd Dec)

The unit we are hiring for Saturday is a very short distance from the shop (shop is 76 Papyrus Road and demos will be held at 86 Papyrus Road), you can see the relation of the two locations here:

And here's a link to how to find us if you haven't been to Sir Stampalot, Peterborough before.

We are unsure how warm it will be in the unit where the demos will be held so please wrap warmly. Hot tea and coffee will be available on tap throughout the day - along with lots of lovely munchies!

There's also a chance to win a goodie bag. Entry is free. Just copy and paste this form below into a word document, fill it out, print it out and then pop it in the box in the shop on Saturday (4th Dec). Winner will be drawn at the end of the day and notified by phone if not present:

========================================================================

FREE PRIZE DRAW
at the 3rd Ultimate Rubber Stamping Demo Day on Saturday 4th Dec.
Copy and Paste to word document, fill it out, print it out and pop it in the special box in the shop for your chance to win the goodie bag on display on the day.

Name: __________________________________________________________________

Phone Number : __________________________________________________________

Email: ___________________________________________________________________

Valid Instore on Saturday 4th Dec Only

========================================================================

Good Luck everyone and hope to see you Saturday. Safe journey.
- janice
xxxx

Stamp It - Punch It

2010-11-23T23:53:00.001Z

You've probably forgotten all about this blog it's been so long since I last uploaded anything. Sincere apologies but I just don't know where time goes. I had started this post a couple of weeks back whilst Kim Reygate was visiting and staying with us. I was very inspired seeing her at work and blogging no matter what the time of the day. So I thought I should join in and update the Sir Stampalot blog, so thanks Kim for making me get my finger out!

Kim was helping out with some up and coming PR features and basically just having crafting fun. You can keep up with Kim and her creative talents by visiting her blog : Kimx

Now I just had to share with you creations and info about our latest event at Sir Stampalot. We were very lucky to have the wonderful Paula Pascual come and demonstrate for us. Such a lovely lady and endless talent.

You may have seen Paula on TV, but those of you who are unfamiliar with Paula, she is the artist behind her own range of stamp designs, that are of the finest detail, great quality, endless variations per each set and unbelievable value for money. Paula was demonstrating on Saturday how her stamps co-ordinate brilliantly with various sizes of punches, both circular and square, to give amazing results with minimal effort. Running out of time to make Christmas cards and need to do a fair number in a short period of time? Read on......

Here's a spread of the cards Paula brought along with her:

And some elements she created during the day:

and here she is hard at work - or is that busy having fun (far too much fun)!

Now here's what I mean about endless variations. This card is using just one stamp set - Large Christmas and two inkpads.

Paula prefers to use memento inkpads and versafine. These work extremely well with her fine detail stamps and help give superb results. I believe she used Deep Lagoon versafine and Summer Sky memento here. As the stamps are clear polymer, you can see exactly where you are placing them when stamping out on your card, so it's then easy to create this honeycomb effect. A self adhesive pearl in the centre of each snowflake and Bob's your Uncle.

Just look at this card. It's amazing how it shows off the combinations available from the extremely versatile stamp set - Filled with Flowers.

By adhering foam pads of varying depths to each of the elements, really gives the card a wonderful stepped feel.

That same stamp set - Filled with Flowers, has been used here in gorgeous colours of Crimson Red versafine and Spanish Moss versafine to make the flowers look like poinsettias.

And just in case you aren't convinced, the addition of the Happy Christmas circle design from her Large Christmas stamp set really gets the message across.

I like the colour blue so here's another of my favourites:

This card is using 2 different stamp sets of Paula's - Large Christmas and Essential Christmas. Love the way she's stamped out the dotty circle with the small snowflake on, then cut around the snowflake on the inside of the circle, to then slide a punched circle underneath it with the "happy christmas" message on it. Now, I'm pretty certain I haven't explained that very well. Next time you pop instore, I'll show you if you wish.

A little blob of stickles to enhance the snowflake and you have a perfectly quick and easy Christmas card.

And with a little adaptation, Paula demonstrated how to turn her designs into ribbon buckles:

This uses designs from All Year Round - a definite must have stamp set!

And Paula also had some very clever ideas for the insides of the cards too:

Paula has used here, her very useful dotty stamp from the Christmas Messages set along with a verse from the same set, and additionally the lovely snowflake from the Large Christmas set.

This next design, uses elements from 3 sets - Joyful Bubbles, Essential Christmas and Christmas Messages. Love the way the flourish makes the box look like a gift wrapped present:

Thanks Paula for all your inspiration and sharing your ideas. I certainly had fun catching an odd glimpse of your demo where I could.

Paula has her own website and blog. I urge you to check it out. It contains fabulous ideas, tutorials, punch charts in great detail and generally a great source of info.

I hear on the grapevine some more designs are due out in the New Year so I'm looking forward to seeing what Paula comes up with. Maybe I can persuade Paula to come back in the Spring and do another demo day - please Paula!!???

Anyhow, until next time....
Happy crafting.

- janicex

Paper Artsy comes to town

2010-08-03T00:31:00.001+01:00

Paper Artsy free demo day at Sir Stampalot was amazing, with Kay doing the do.

Here's some of the projects Kay brought along to display on the day.

This was a lovely wooden frame, Kay had painted, distressed and embellished with embossed metal and the stamp set : Flora and Fauna #1 (SIFF1EZ). This set sold out on the day but I've got more on order.

With this sample above, there is so much going on, Kay's used the Paper Artsy dies : film strip, grunge flower and scallop flower and stamp sets : flora and fauna #3 (SIFF3EZ) and #4 (SIFF4EZ).

and this sample above Kay created on the day, is a prime example of how you can mix and match the Crowns and Castles collection to create various medieval scenes.

So, all in all, a very enjoyable day.

Talking of enjoyable days, we have some spaces left for this Sunday's (8th Aug) all day class with Steph here at Sir Stampalot, Peterborough. It's a great opportunity to stock up on generic greeting cards for any occasion. Take a lookie at this:

Places are just £25 for the day and ALL materials are provided, you could come away with as many as 20 finished cards. Give Louise or myself a bell on 01733 324 007 if you want to book a place or ask any more questions. You'll just need to bring packed lunch.

Until next time....
Happy crafting.

- janicex

Molly Blooms has Bloomed

2010-07-21T22:57:00.000+01:00

Another month gone by already!??!! Why oh why does time pass soooo quickly?

Since my last post, we've had several demo's here at Sir Stampalot and our first one was the amazing stamp designs from Clare Rowlands. Clare's stamp designs are collectively called Molly Blooms and they are just so cute. Along with Molly, there's little George too, now he's a mischievous little 'un.

We were very lucky to have Clare come down and demo her line for us at Sir Stampalot. Here's Cheeky Clare in action:

Here's a few piccies of the samples Clare had made for the day:

Many of the card samples were coloured with Copics and I was most impressed to see how many and how organised Clare was with her Copic markers:

but then I eyed another container full of those lovely markers:

All those colours to choose from! Where does a girl start?

Here's a close up of Molly:

and here's one of George:

Can you believe Clare's already been beavering away with the Christmas designs for Molly Blooms? We had a sneak peek a week ago and really looking forward to the Christmas collection being launched at our August Bank Holiday Christmas Launch weekend. I know, I know, Christmas already, what is the world coming too? Clare will be demo'ing on the Saturday 28th August in store for us and we are already very excited about that.

You can view more of Clare's artwork on her blog (Molly Bloom Designs) and currently dotted about on our online gallery.
To see and purchase the stamps (EZ mount soft red rubber stamps with deep detailed designs), you can use this link on our Sir Stampalot website, or alternatively check out The Paper Lane up in Northallerton.

Watch out for more Molly Blooms and George coming to a blog near you!

- janicex

Molly Blooms

2010-06-17T19:38:00.001+01:00

This is George:

George and his friend Molly will be here at Sir Stampalot, this Sunday 20th June for a very special demo day event. They are just the cutest, cheekiest rubber stamp characters, designed by talented artist Clare Rowlands, who'll be here demo'ing and playing with them on Sunday. George and Molly can't wait to see you all on Sunday.
Free demo from 10am to 4pm.
Free refreshments.
If you've signed up to the Sir Stampalot newsletter, check your inboxes for a voucher for a free Cute Critters stamp and don't forget to bring along on Sunday with you.

SALE

2010-05-28T15:30:00.000+01:00

Unfortunately the scheduled demo we were running instore tomorrow has had to be postponed :(

So instead, we are holding a SALE day :)

Sale starts instore tomorrow at 10am til 4pm. And then we'll open as a special treat on Bank Holiday Monday from 10am - 2pm with more Sale goodies.

The online sale will start on Sunday.

To find us, click here.

Tattered & Torn

2010-05-14T09:47:00.000+01:00

At long last, deliveries of the latest product from Tim Holtz are now in stock - the new Sizzix dies. Unfortunately stocks are rather low though as the manufacturers are struggling to keep up with the demand. However, we do have some of all the die designs in at the moment. One of the most popular of these dies has to be the Tattered Floral die. It is just soooo useful.

Here's a pic of the project I did in a class taught by the man himself, Tim Holtz earlier this year.

We used the Tattered Florals die which looks like this:

and all the lovely new colours of distress inks. There must be a good couple of hundred of these pieces of artwork floating around in one format or another as Tim's classes are always bursting at the seams with people eager to attend. I was very impressed with this class and loved every minute of it.
We were also very lucky to receive as part of the class Tim Holtz's new book, and was able to ask him to autograph it for us too. Now we were also lucky enough that both Andy and I attended the class so we have a book each. Or did! We have donated one of our signed books to this month's Sir Stampalot Challenge that Brenda and her inspirational team are organising on our behalf.
This month's challenge (closing date for entries is 28th May) is titled "Butterflies and Blossoms" and you can read all about it and enter your project here, at the Sir Stampalot Challenge Blog.

Congratulations to last month's winner - Claire who entered and won with this lovely entry for our theme of "Fantasy":

Claire won a Cricut Machine and extra Cartridge called Pooh Font and was extremely delighted with it.

If you are the lucky winner of this current Challenge, along with Tim's signed book, you'll also get a Tattered Florals die and a host of other Tim Holtz/Ranger products, just look at all this:

Nearly £200 worth of glorious products.
So what are you waiting for, get stamping and join in the fun.

If you are needing some inspiration, then what better way to come and treat yourself and have fun by popping by Sir Stampalot, Peterborough tomorrow, Saturday 15th May to see the magical Crafty Lou in action.

Here's some of the awesome cards she created for her last demo day with us:

this is just so cute, Crafty Lou has used the big Hero Arts set Whats the Scoop, and coloured in with her very own unique style, using versacolour cubes.

I love the addition of coordinating embellishments like this cooking ribbon attached as a tab with the aid of a brad. We sell that ribbon in shop but haven't got it on the website yet, so just give us a bell is you wish to purchase some. And check out the lovely stitched border Crafty Lou has used on her edging.

This is a lovely idea for a recipe card and such a novel gift:

Now you could be fooled into thinking that Crafty Lou likes owls. No idea what would give you that notion:

Again, using Hero Arts stamp designs:

Now, no card can be a "Crafty Lou card" without the additional of
a) cream shrink plastic and
b) the "it's your day" stamp by Hero Arts code : A4981

I love the way she's used the backing paper to incorporate into her design

and the little finishing touches like the tied ribbon wrapped around the balloon strings:

And some of her more recent designs that you may have already seen on her blog (Crafty Lou's Small World) or on the Sir Stampalot online gallery:

So don't forget, Demo Day Sat 15th May, 10am - 4pm with the talented Crafty Lou, free refreshments, free parking and plenty of inspiration so please feel free to bring your camera.

Click here for our events calendar. We may have an added event on Bank Holiday Monday 31st May, just finalising things as we speak, so watch this space.

Hopefully see you tomrrow, click here for directions.
In the meantime, happy crafting.
- janicex

Metal Magic

2010-03-24T00:06:00.000Z

Sir Stampalot are currently harbouring a creative lady! We have the lovely Kim Reygate giving a big helping hand around the place, if you pop in store over the next few days you'll find her beavering away at a make shift demo table in the shop - having just way too much fun!

Kim is teaching a class on tomrrow (thursday) using the walnut hallow metal embossing kit among many other cool new mediums and embellishments.

This is one of the cards Kim's prep'd for thursday's class

It uses a magenta stamp called Joyful Daisies Row (37244J), stamped onto metal with staz-on, embossed with the walnut hallow tools, distressed with alcohol inks and acrylic paints. The flower centres have been emphasised with the cup and ball tool, from the walnut hallow creative metal beginners kit:

I think this is just so cool, really gives a different texture to your cards.
And if you look at the flower cluster in the corner of the card, you'll find the very unusual new embellishment from magnolia - chandelier garland. You can see the complete range of gorgeous colours on our website.

You can also see some of the new iridescent pinstripe ribbon wrapped around the centre piece, and the way Kim has coordinated the scalloped punch edge with the black self adhesive pearls.

If you want to come along and play with such cool products like walnut hallow metal embossing tools and the new chandelier garlands and take home plenty of inspiration, then why not give me a ring (01733 324 007) and get yourself booked on one of the classes tomorrow, Thursday (25th march). We are running the same class at 10am, 2pm and 7pm and still have a couple of spaces available on all sessions. It's just £10 including all materials and refreshments and held in our Peterborough store. Click here for store directions and info.

And you can check out more of Kim's work on her blog - "Kim x"

Hope to see you soon.

- janicex

Wonder Woman!

2010-03-18T22:11:00.000Z

Sir Stampalot are truly fortunate to have such wonderful people helping us out, and one very special lady is our Brenda.

I'm sure you are all following her wonder blog "Floral Fantasies", but for those who haven't succumbed to her daily, inspirational accounts - where have you been!!!??

You may recall last month, the Sir Stampalot Blog Hop and 'Moving' Challenge that the lovely Brenda organised on our behalf.
Well, firstly congratulations to the winner of the Challenge: Emma.
who won this wonderful Hello Kitty Bigshot

Why not visit Emma's blog "MetallicButterfly".
And you can see the rest of the winners here by scrolling down the post.
Along with all the submitted projects by checking out the Mr Linky links here at the bottom of the post.

WELL, due to everyone having such a blast with that event, we've decided to have our very own Sir Stampalot Challenge and run it every month, starting 1st April - no joke!

Now, I say "we" in a very literal sense as it's Brenda's project. She's organising it fantastically with the help of 7 creative young ladies:

Chris
Clare
Francesca
Lorraine
Pinky
Sally
Tracy

As well as cool prizes on the Challenge itself, they'll be a blog award for those that make the Top 3.

The light bulb above Brenda has been shining brightly for the last few weeks as she's been coming up with all wonderful ideas and methodologies. And along the way, Brenda has certainly had to pick up lots of computer and blogging skills with this assignment, from creating logos to getting serious with Mr Linky!

And to keep you all on the edge of your seats while you wait for the first challenge and prize to be announced, Brenda's running weekly Blog Candy giveaways consisting of Hero Arts products donated by us, Sir Stampalot.

All the info about the Blog Candy and the Challenge itself can be found on the special Sir Stampalot Challenge Blog created, organised, updated and lovingly looked after by Brenda herself.
You'll also find info at the blogs of each of the wonderful design team who are assisting Brenda and will be providing lots of inspiration to help you with your Challenge entries. Don't forget, the first Challenge will be announced on April 1st so get your heat gun warmed up, find that button box, replace the blade in your craft knife, reink those inkpads and and roll up your sleeves in readiness.

Good Luck one 'n all

And if you are local to Peterborough and want to see Brenda getting messy and having fun (did I say that?, I meant working hard), then pop along to Sir Stampalot store anytime this Saturday (20th March) from 10am - 4pm when we are holding a free stamping demonstration day. Free refreshments will be available as always on a demo day. And we have a plethora of Brenda's artwork that will be on display, so please feel free to bring your camera.

Hope to see you Saturday.

And remember, a stamp's not just for a challenge, it's for life!

- janicex

Penny Black Treat

2010-02-24T22:39:00.001Z

We are very lucky to have Elizabeth Allan from Penny Black, in-store tomorrow (thursday) at Sir Stampalot, Peterborough.
Elizabeth will be running a 2 hour class from 3pm - 5pm using the brand new Penny Black designs.

Projects may vary in class tomorrow.

If you fancy coming along, please phone for details and reserve your place. Places are very limited and on a first come first served basis. Rare opportunity to have Elizabeth in the UK and not to be missed if you can make it.

If you want to keep upto date with Elizabeth's artwork, she contributes heavily to the Penny Black Blog.

Additionally all the new designs have arrived instore and we will be filling our shelves with them tomororw along with displaying the sample boards. Card samples will go online on our gallery but probably not for a couple of weeks. View our gallery.

Ring me on 01733 324 007 for booking class spaces
- janicex

More News from CHA

2010-02-12T02:16:00.001Z

Whilst at CHA, I make the most of the time there by booking up on classes as well as walking the show floor. I'd booked on so many classes, half the time I didn't know whose class I was taking, our tickets we bought only had a class number and a vague title. So I was in the middle of a class "pressed for success" wondering who my crazy tutor was when it dawned on me that it was the one and only Donna Downey.

Now I've got a couple of her books on scrapbooking and there is one in particular I think is probably the best scrapbooking book I've come across.
It's called "Designing Layouts" (ISBN = 9781933516875),

and features layouts where your photos take center stage by using photos-only sketches to make over 100 reusable page designs.
It really is a very, very good book, makes you realise that all the embellishments (although very nice and pretty) aren't really needed to make a stunning page. You'd have to see the book to see what I mean really. Anyhow, after reading this book (or more to the point, flicking through it as it's not really a book you can read!), I found that I just loved this lady's style.
And so it was such a delight to be booked in on one of her classes. She's such a character, she has so much energy and so outgoing, and really knows how to work the crowd!! I now wish I'd taken my book to get signed - oh well, there's always next year. If ever you get a chance to be on a class or event of Donna's, I seriously suggest any of you scrapbookers out there should take the plunge.

The project we started to create was a fabric scrapbook album using iron-transfers. Not the sort of thing I've ever done before or had even contemplated doing but I enjoyed it as far as I had got.

When I eventually get around to finishing it, I'll let you guys know and show pics - hopefully you're still following this blog in a couple of year's time!! I got as far as ironing on the various transfers to my fabric pages and that was about it, basically we were suppose to take our own distress inkpads to ink up and spritz with water, the edges of the pages. Although my lovely neighbour offered me her inkpads to borrow (we are all such a friendly crowd us crafters), I declined after deciding that I'll colour co-ordinate each page with appropriate ink colours rather than do every page brown. I'm looking forward to finishing it off but probably won't be this side of Christmas :(

Anyhow, onto more exciting new products we saw at CHA...

We've been waiting for this a long time, metallic staz-on colours in silver, gold, copper and platinum

unfortunately they won't be cheap.
They'll come packaged - a little like the white staz-on, ie uninked pad and a reinker bottle:

Tattered Angels are expanding their range. As well as adding more colours to their Glimmer Mist collection (including colours inspired by Heidi Swapp), they have also launched a Chalkboard range, Glimmer Glaze and Glimmer Glam:

all new goodies already ordered and just waiting for it all to arrive.
However, the Heritage travel ledge kit is already in stock:

and provides all the goodies needed to create this wonderful project (a brilliant all-inclusive weekend project):

Check out full details here.

Cosmo Cricket goodies should be arriving any day:

And all the brand new Penny Black designs have been ordered and just waiting to arrive now, you can find all the designs in our "What's New" section where you can pre-order them (currently about page 6!!).

And watch out for a very exciting announcement coming soon, regarding a very special Penny Black person!!! Just finalising details and then I'll be able to spill the beans.

And finally, if you have a free Saturday this weekend, and fancy a crafty day, we still have a few spaces spare for Ann's Popcorn Bear class:

these are piccies from her demo day just to give you a little idea of what you could be up to!!
Give me a ring on 01733 324 007 to find out more.

meanwhile, happy stamping
- janicex

Exciting Stuff - Blog Hop and Challenge

2010-02-03T00:18:00.000Z

Fancy some fun? This is just a slight diversion from my CHA report, and I expect most of you have already know what I'm about to refer to and possibly already completed the quest. But for those of you that aren't aware, there is a special challenge AND Blog Hop going on as we speak. And for which there is more than one opportunity to win some really cool prizes. "So what do I have to do?" I hear you cry.

Well firstly, don't panic and rush, both the Challenge and Blog Hop will run for two weeks - closing at midnight GMT on 13th February 2010.

As we (Sir Stampalot) have just relocated to new premises (not far, just next door but one) - finally vacated our old building at midday yesterday, the theme of the Challenge is 'Moving'. Create a project (card, LO, box etc) based on the theme 'Moving', whether relating to moving home, a moving sentiment/greeting as the focal point, a project which involves movement (ie a waterfall card, or slider card) or whatever takes your fancy and however you wish to interpret this theme. For the first prize, we've donated a really cool gadget - a 'Hello Kitty' Sizzix Big Shot with extended cutting platform, plus dies including two of the fabulous Sizzix Bigz dies which cut boxes and shaped cards.

There are also 2, yes 2, runner's up prizes for the Challenge.

But that's not all, oh no, there is also a Blog Hop for which there is a prize for every stop of the blog hop - that's an additional 10 prizes as there are a total of 10 very lovely, creative, enthusiastic bloggers who are involved in this exciting event.

You'll need to visit the blog of the ring leader, organiser and total all round angel Brenda. From Brenda, you'll pick up a letter clue, you'll need to leave a comment and then progress and repeat with the next blogger on the list. Each stage is well laid out so you know where you've come from and where you're going, as well as what to do in the event that I've managed to totally confuse you!

All the rules, terms and conditions for both the challenge and blog hop, can be found at each of the 10 stages of the blog hog.

Each of the DT fantastic members involved in this Blog Hop that you'll need to visit, are listed in my sidebar. And every one of them has created projects for your inspiration. Must admit that we are so blown away by all their creations, which are so stunning and special. We feel so blessed to have such lovely ladies producing artwork for and involving Sir Stampalot. I'm lucky enough to have Brenda's masterpiece at the shop. She popped round on Sunday with hubby Eddy - supposedly for a quick 5 minute drop off but ended up staying about 5 hours or more helping to move bits from one unit to the other - what stars! Words can honestly not express how special her inspirational artwork for this challenge is. I have the mini scrapbook in our counter display for safe keeping and to show off to you all on your next visit, I know Brenda has featured it on her blog but you really do have to see it in the flesh, it's so awesome.

This seems to be quite a long post, I actually started last night when we finally got in about 2am from work, sitting up in bed with my hot water bottle and laptop, busily writing up this blog but then promptly feel asleep in the middle of it all. Woke up to find Andy taking my glasses off and tucking me in :)
So finally finishing the post off tonight instead.

It just leaves me to say a huge thank you to all of these blog hopper hosts, and especially Brenda, for all of the time and effort in making this happen. Brenda's had more than her share of issues to deal over the last few weeks but has been happily soldering on with this event and really worked extremely hard in overseeing the whole event, and loving every minute of it.

Good luck one and all.

Next post i'll revert back to more CHA news...

oh, due to the move, BT have managed to cut our new phone lines and I'm still going through the backlog of emails while we were away at CHA so please be patient, all your queries and comments are very important to us and we will respond to all your correspondences.

meanwhile, happy stamping
- janicex

CHA New Stuff

2010-01-27T16:27:00.000Z

Sorry this is a rather long one, I've had to combine several days' worth as internet connection here is really hit and miss. Unless I want to pay $95 a day for an internet connection, at Starbucks in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel! Of course I had to have a white chocolate mocha and a slice of marshmallow dream bar while I thought long and hard over that decision!

Hey look, it's a red Cricut.

Ah, but this is no ordinary Cricut. This is the Cricut Cake. It's a Cricut with all parts being food safe and aimed at the cake decorating/sugar crafters among you. The idea is that you can cut icing based on any Cricut cartridge design, and stick it straight on your cake.
Now I can't see that I'm going to have much use for it but there must be a market out there for it somewhere. At least the cartridges they've designed for this machine are however compatible with the other Cricut machines. Here's a quick sneak peek of some new cartridges coming out (or have already been launched):

Here's some pics of the new embossing folders that Provocraft have/are launching for the Cuttlebug:

Bazzill are bringing out more embossed cardstock and more glazed designs:

but they are discontinuing their Destinations range and some Bling colours, So be warned, if you have projects using the Destinations range and you think you need more supplies, buy now before it's no longer available.

Bazzill are also releasing some new big blingy like buttons (looks more like something you would wear on your finger to me!!)

Magnolia's new collection (that you can already pre-order from our website) is just amazing:

Sizzix are definitely progressing and getting better all the time.
They've teamed up with Tim Holtz and bringing out a line with his designs both in die and in embossing folders:

and then there's this new puppy. The E-clips.

It is just the coolest new electronic die cutting toy. But not going to be available til later in the summer - how mean can they be teasing us so?

For the Making Memories Slice machine, there's more cartridges on the way:

and they've now made it in such a way that you don't have to hold the machine in place while it cuts as it's got magnets in it and holds in place to a magnetic mat.
All these guys are not hanging on the wall but just held in place due to the magnets:

Zutter have brought out a cutter for cutting really thick chipboard

and
a gadget for distressing the edges of card\paper

very noisy (the prototype anyhow) and seems expensive for what it is.

Stampavie have released some lovely new Sarah Kay designs (already ordered, instore soon):

Watch out for new stuff coming instore soon:

Right then, back to it, more reports to follow
meanwhile, happy stamping
- janicex

Where are we?

2010-01-24T16:23:00.000Z

Can't believe where time has gone! Has it really been 6/7 weeks since I last blogged? Blimey Charlie. Well, we have been extremely busy and not had much time to ourselves. Reason for being so busy? We've moved premises - not far away from our previous location - just next door but one. We've still got alot of hard work to get it finished off as we want it but it's definitely going in the right direction. Please bear with us while we change over the displays and may take some time finding stock if you come in and ask for something not currently out on the shop floor.

Cricut Chris was a complete star helping out loads. Here she is washing down our shelves before we brought the stock over (with help from her son Mitchell who was just too full of energy - wore me out just watching him!):

And here's Andy having fun varnishing the doors:

I was getting to grips with a brand new vacuum cleaner:

and here's just a small fraction of stuff to still sort through:

As things haven't gone as planned, we didn't advertise with a grand opening day, so our 'soft opening' happened last Saturday when we had the lovely Copic Louise demo'ing for us. It's so much more spacious in the new unit that you guys were able to mill around without bumping into one another so that was lovely to see. Thanks for the great comments. And also thanks to my little spontaneous helpers on the day, Brenda and Jules who seemed to enjoy themselves immensely getting stuck into hero arts stamps and unpacking them for me - thanks girls. And where would I be without Chris, again, a complete angel for looking after you all - finding stock and answering questions. What a lovely, lovely first day.

Haven't actually got any pics with me of the new look shop nearly full of stock. "Why don't you go and take a photo now?" I hear you say. Little tricky, Andy and I are sitting in a Starbucks, having a Grande Latte thingy, over in Anaheim, California. Yep, it's that time of year again for CHA, the biggest and best trade show for us crafters. Nearly didn't come as there's just so much to do still back at the unit but good ole Brenda and Eddy convinced us we needed to come - thanks you two. So glad we are here now but feeling hugely guilty for leaving my folks, Louise and Nick having to sort everything out back at base. Be gentle to them while we are away, they are working their little socks off and already come across more than one hurdle. But coping extremely well with everything that's getting thrown at them. Right then, I think it's time to go and fetch another mega milky mini mocha chocca lenti thingy (is it!) and maybe a blueberry muffin to go with it :)

I'll report more tomorrow (I promise) on what we're up to..

in the meantime, happy stamping and check out the latest Tilda collections (Through my Heart/Raise the Ceiling) that you can pre-order today and we are just waiting for them to arrive, currently no confirmed delivery date.

- janicex

Geez, what a day!

2009-12-09T02:20:00.000Z

Saturday was our 2nd Ultimate Rubber Stamping Demo Day, featuring 7 fantastic demonstrators and their awesome projects and creations. Thank you to all those that came to support the shop and the girls. Sorry for the queues at the till but I hope the free demos and free food made up for it.

Gina demo'd the wonderful watercolouring with Art Impressions stamps and plenty of glitter - surely you all have that darn skeleton tree stamp by now!!

I still find glitter from her demos in all the nooks and crannies around the place :)
All the lovely name signs that you saw around the room on saturdya were created by Gina as was the little hand painted and decorated pots of sweeties - thanks for that Gina, it's always the finishing touches that make it special.

Brenda kept everyone entertained with her fantastic 3D roses that are just amazing. You would just not believe how these guys come about using just a six petal'ed flower punch. Brenda's actually popped a tutorial about this on her blog today so if you missed out on the demo day, please go and have a peek at her step by step tutorial at "Floral Fantasies".

Brenda used these 3D roses to decorate fork 'andles (and a few extra).

Also here's a click glimpse of cards finished off very nicely with the roses.

Chris kept busy all day embossing flowers with her peanut technque, stamping Inkadinkado designs and talking through all her gorgeous projects including her hand made calendar and the festive "Noel" mantelpiece decoration:

and her little Sarah Kay house:

Keep up-to-date with her latest creations at her blog - "Always About Colour".

Copic Louise just had far too much fun with the Copic Markers.

Louise had a different take on the 3D flower creation and used 5 petal'ed retro flowers to create gorgeous flowers. Look at all these pieces of artwork she's created:

and the 'crème de la crème' just had to be this advent calendar she made, inspired by projects from the first issue of the Magnolia magazine (more due in store in a couple of weeks).

You can see this in more detail (and other gorgeous creations) at her blog - "Just Love to Stamp".

Ok, if I mention cream shrink plastic, tildas and versacolour inkpads in one sentence, who comes to mind? Of course, none other than the very talented Crafty Lou:

She had plenty of card samples to show you all on Saturday and here's just a small spread of them:

Keep up with all Crafty Lou's artwork by checking out her blog - "Crafty Lou's Small World"

We'd been blessed with the presence of Kim Reygate for most of last week.

Kim was extremely helpful, assisting us with all sorts of general Sir Stampalot duties including one of the major ones - keeping us feed and watered (thanks for the endless cups of tea and salads and hot food, Kim). And then the finale to her week was demo'ing all the cool new gadgets (creative metal)

and plenty of the good ole stuff (alcohol inks, stamping, inking):

Kim's recently started her own blog, see what it's all about here.

And finally, Lisa, one of our latest tutor/demonstrators to join our little "band of merry men".

She was just a complete star at the demo day - donning a very festive hat with full on jingly bell.

As well as demo'ing the functionality of the Cricut, Lisa wow'ed you all with the latest must-have accessory to the Cricut, the Gypsy. This is the a portable "design studio", giving you the ability to create your designs on the go and then cut your creation when you get back to base with your Cricut. She loved it. I had to wrestle it off of her at the end of the day as she didn't want to part with it!!!
Her talents don't stop there, here's her series of Tilda canvas' that she's worked hard at.

These will be run as a set of classes next year so watch out for that in the new class list (due to go live around 22nd Dec).
And also all the scrapbook wonders she's got planned next year too. Here's one layout she was having fun putting together on Saturday:

Luckily it was a Saturday, you guys managed to dominate the car park:

And finally, one big, big thank you to all you demonstrators, the day would not be what it was without you. And to my wonderful helpers, Mandy, Steph, Eddy and Azaria - we would be a wreck without you! And also to our very own photographer and gopher - Nick - cheers.

===============================================

New Stamp Designs from Hero Arts

About this time every year, Hero Arts release a debut collection as a taster of new designs for the New Year. The designs are being released on Friday 18th Dec. We have it all on order (but no idea what's in the collection until the release date, so don't try to force us to tell you before then!)

However, We at Sir Stampalot are holding a special debut party on Saturday 19th Dec from 6pm til Midnight, where you'll be able to view the complete Hero Arts debut collection. And we will be offering you a FREE copy of the 2010 Hero Arts collector's catalogue with every qualifying pre-order purchase of Hero Arts goodies.
On top of all that, there'll be Make 'n Take projects, door prizes, hot chocolate, munchies and more!

And the coolest thing ever, is that Hero Arts has featured us on their blog today. What an honour. They have a wonderful blog packed full of ideas and samples, go check it out here.

in the meantime, happy stamping
- janicex

Watercolour Wonders

2009-11-28T22:53:00.000Z

Gina certainly knows how to keep you guys entertained. At the NEC she drew the crowds as always. I think this just had to be my most favourite card out of the ones she demo'd.

I love the way she's used the Art Impressions Phone Box and topped it off with Snow Writer (now back in stock) with some added bling (prisma glitter) to give it a real glistening snowy feel.

Gina's also stamped out the wrought iron fence a couple of times whilst masking off the phone box to place the phone box infront of the fence and then stamped the birch tree and grove of trees to make them look like they are behind the fence. A little bit of added foliage with the leaves stamp and teeny tiny grass, and you have yourself a fantastic festive scenic card. Finished off very nice with the greeting, which I firstly didn't realise what stamp Gina had used, until she pointed out it was a verse stamp and she'd only used part of it (that's the great thing about using the Marvy Le Plume II pens, they give you complete control). I so love that font on the greeting.

Now, although that phone box card is my favourite, this next card definitely wins the most points for the most ingenious.

This design, you just won't believe it, is actually created by using a twig stamp design (wc bare branch).
If you click on the link you'll see what it looks like to start with. This idea came to Gina in the middle of the night when she couldn't sleep, and then she had to get up and out of bed, straight to her craft room, to try it out while it was still fresh in her mind. Now I know she's not the only one who seems to get wonderful ideas in the middle of the night (our scrapbook tutor Lisa - to name another!!). And i'm sure many of you do too - keep a notebook and pen by your bedside - definitely worthwhile.

Anyhow, back to "twiggy". Gina's stamped it at North, South, East and West on a small square of card, then again between each of those impressions, all so that the base of the twig touches in the middle (or close enough). You'll then be able to see 'petals' that you can colour in, add some glitter, a lovely sparkly gem in the centre and you've got yourself a superb, very creative, poinsettia card.

Thanks Gina for all your wonderful ideas that you share with us. It is very much appreciated.

The 2nd Ultimate Rubber Stamping Demo Day
==========================================

This Saturday - 5th December 2009

If you want to come and see Gina in action - along with 6 other fantastic demonstrators (Brenda, Copic Louise, Crafty Lou, Chris, Kim, Scrapbook Lisa), then we are holding our 2nd Ultimate Rubber Stamping Demo Day here at Sir Stampalot in Peterborough. If you came last year, you'll know how good it was (and hopefully will be again this year). Brenda's hubby Eddy and grand-daughter Azaria will be on Free Food and Drink duty!! It was such a blast last year. Bring your camera. It's totally free. Rolling demo's (including copics, cricut, gypsy, watercolouring, metal work, distressing, tildas, fork 'andles!) from all 7 ladies all day long (10am- 4pm) and I seriously suggest you allow at least a couple of hours for your visit. Cant' wait to see you all.

Click here for directions to Sir Stampalot, Peterborough.

Sign up to our online newsletter as, later next week, we'll be featuring some product discount vouchers to use instore on that day - Saturday 5th Dec.

in the meantime, happy stamping
- janicex

Copic Louise

2009-11-24T00:33:00.000Z

We were very lucky to have Louise Roache demo on our stand at the NEC for a couple of days. She was promoting our Copic Ciaos and wow her samples were just amazing.

This one was a last minute sample Louise made before coming to the NEC, however, Louise had mentioned she wasn't over fond of - but I sooooo totally disagree. It's gorgeous!!!

Louise used Copics (of course!) to colour in the 'Tilda wearing Christmas Wreath' design:

Tilda looks fab sitting on the Tilda Clock, such an appropriate card to see in 2010 - it's brill. With a touch of glossy accents on the clock face to give the appearance of glass.

Even this New Year greeting is embellished with ferns and flowers brads and some bling! Bet you never guessed the flower is taken from Tilda design's head-dress - ingenious.

The card is finished off very nicely with a couple of brad'ed bazzill hinges, and notice how the flower/fern combo is repeated from the greeting. Great punched edging using the Martha Stewart Lattice Arch edge punch. The Mistletoe patterned papers are from the Tilda Christmas Collection.

Here's another card sample Louise made for display at the NEC.

These little chubby robins from artist Gillian Roberts are adorable. You can find all the colours of copics that Lousie has used to colour them in with, by checking this sample out on our online gallery where all the materials used are listed.

The background to the card is embossed using a cuttlebug embossing folder and then accented with embossed die cuts from the nestabilities 'create a flake #1', then embellished with self adhesive gems and some random applications of prisma glitter too.

Great ideas from a very creative lady. Thanks Louise.

You'll be seeing a lot more of Louise if you decide to stop by instore!!
Additionally, you can keep upto date with Louise's creations by visiting her blog - just love to stamp.

Next installment - Gina's artwork from the NEC ...

NEC Report!

2009-11-18T00:41:00.000Z

Well, we're back from the NEC and slowly getting back ontop of the orders and emails. Sorry to everyone who's had to wait for their goodies to arrive.

The NEC was interesting to say the least. It's always great to met the customers and put a face to a name. It was a treat to met Dawn - All Pink Girl (thanks for the chocs Dawn, very yummy), and it was wonderful to see so many of our shop customers come by to see us and support us - big thanks to Tricia and Joan who brought along home-made fairy cakes - wow are we spoilt! And also to Mandy for helping out on the Stand on a busy first day.

Our girls demo'ing at the show did the most spectualar job ever. Thanks to Gina, Chris and Louise, I'll show some of their work over the next couple of updates.

Chris demo'ed the Thursday and Friday at the show and attracted the crowds with her wonderful techniques and tips, including the peanut flower!!

Chris inked up some plain white textured flowers from Hero Arts with versamagic ink, dipped the flower in clear embossing powder and then embossed. Then embellished with a shrink plastic centre piece.

The card itself has a main focal point of a Hero Arts angel and the mistletoe Tilda patterned paper sets it all off a real treat.

Then there's this little guy:

He's from the Sarah Kay range of clear stamps and is just the most cutest guy ever. Love the way Chris has used Bazzill Cardstock and Imaginisce patterned papers and fanned them out behind the image - brilliant idea Chris.

This card by Chris is again using some wonderful ideas. There's the punched baseline using Martha Stewart Snowflake edge punch, zigzag die cut at the base of the patterned paper center piece. Texture added by using string to dangle the little podgy birdie, liquid pearls used for the mistletoe and silicone to give it shape on the card.

Thanks Chris, look forward to seeing you demo again at our instore demo day on 5th Dec - everyone welcome.
Check out more of Chris' creations at Always About Colour.

Lastly but by no means least, a HUGE thank you to my folks for being there at the NEC to help us, and for always being on call to help out. We miss you greatly when you're not here - come back soon!!!

Next installment - artwork from Louise.....

Demo's Galore

2009-10-30T01:16:00.001Z

Brenda
======
A couple of weekends ago, the Brilliant Brenda demonstrated some fantastic inking and stamping techniques.

Brenda just had way too much fun, I can tell by how many samples she managed to whip up on the day:

And thanks to Brenda we had loads of wonderful samples adorning the demo room to give insipiration - thanks Brenda.

Crafty Lou
==========
Because I'm such a bag blogger, I never previously gave you guys an insight to another wonderful demo day instore with the Goddess of Cream Shrink Plastic - Crafy Lou.

Crafty Lou is always up for a challenge. Just before the doors opened for the demo, i handed Lou a stamp design I'd over-ordered on and hoped she'd come up with something. Well, she was straight in there with the Pinecone versacolour inkpad:

Crafty Lou had made some really creative cards for the demo day and here's just a handful of them:

Although these are all on our online gallery, we haven't got round to detailing them yet and probably won't know til afer the NEC, so check back again to find out materials used if you fancy having a go at re-creating any of them.
And then there's this little chestnut - a little Tilda bakery shop that even had it's own opening times in the window:

Fantastic stuff Lou, thanks.

Boo - Copic Demo - Saturday 31st Oct
===============================
Be afraid, be very afraid! No not really, it's just that we are having a Halloween demo day. If you are in the area and fancy a great couple of crafty hours in Peterborough, pop along to Sir Stampalot's store where we'll have Copic Louise (another Louise!) demo'ing how to get the most out of your Copic Markers or just to show you what all the fuss is about if you haven't seen much about them or heard about them. Copic Louise will be using stamped images from Magnolia along with Sarah Kay images. Can't wait - just hope my stock turns up in time!!!
We're open from 10am - 4pm and the demo lasts all day too, lots of lovely ideas, free refreshments and great atmosphere.

Hope to see you there, see our website for directions on how to find us.

Oh, just to let you know that the shop is closed all next week while we prepare for exhibiting at the NEC. We are then at the NEC and you can find us on stand H05, with lots of demo's from Gina, Copic Louise and the wonderful Chris. We should be back in full swing again on Tuesday 10th Nov (should being the operative word!!!)

Happy crafting
- janice

Banners & Ceremonies

2009-10-04T13:10:00.000+01:00

As I'm so bad at keeping this blog up to date on a regular basis, sorry about that. I've got so many events and things to tell you about. So let's get started.

The Banner!
=============
I'd promised last time that I'd give you guys an update on the banner that crafty Lou and Chris had painstakingly created for our Sir Stampalot's Christmas Launch weekend held over the August bank holiday weekend.
Here's a picture of the banners in it's new home:

slightly closer:

and here's some detail shots of some of the pendants:

Lou has been using all sorts on this pendant from cuttlebug embossing folders to nestabilites, versacolour cubes, stardust pens and stamped images.

Lou's used Woodware chipboard shapes to get the photo corner, the brilliant puff white embossing powder to give the snow effect, where would Lou be without a little cream shrink plastic (now back in stock) for the Tilda tag, and the Art Impressions grove of trees design.

This one is my favourite, Lou's used one of the latest designs from the Cling Collection from Hero arts, to create a wish list for Christmas and then shrunk it down on the cream shrink plastic, along with one of the journalling tickets from Tim Holtz. What a neat idea.

The backing papers on most of the pendants are the latest collection from My Mind's Eye. Here Lou's shrunk (surprise surprise!!), Tilda with hood along with the lamppost, moon and robin to create a little scene and of course some puff white embossing powder to finish off the look of snow at their feet.

Chris used little winter Japanese girl from hero and given her some bling with self adhesive gems and shaped the character by using silicone gel to adhere her to the pendant.

Chris loves those "inchies" by Inkadinkadoo and she's used the stamp design from the winter set very creatively with winter jelly embossing folder and decorative squares embossing folder, and some freehand doodling with the inkessentials pen. The inchie stands proud of the pendant by using a inch chipboard square shape from Bazzill, which fits perfectly.

Here's another inchie design from Chris along with ribbons, bling, background stamping, snowflake stamped designs and one of the squares cuttlebug embossing folder as used from the previous set.

All these pendants are now on our online gallery (currently page 1 but that'll change as we put more and more online), Although the pictures are on the gallery, I've still to go back in and detail each one of the pendants, so that will take a little longer.

If you want see more of Chris' fabulous artwork, her blog is 'always about colour'

and crafty Lou has finally taken the plunge and has started her own blog and you can keep up to date with her artwork here, "Crafty Lou's Small World"

Thanks to you both for all your hard work at preparing the banner and to your helpers Fleur and Jo.

SDU event
=========

Over the last 7 months, we at Sir Stampalot have been running a course for scrapbooking called SDU or "Scrapbooking Design & You". And all the girls completed the course recently, so yesterday we held a little graduation ceremony for them all.

From left to right, Kim, Clare, Lorna, Kay, Me, Lisa, Manita, Henreietta and Jenny.

Kay had been very resourceful and worked out how we could all make our own Mortar Boards, using just 3 sheets of Bazzill cardstock, a tassel and some thin black ribbon - thanks Kay.

The lovely Lorna made a superb Maderia cake:

(luckily there's some left over to have with a cuppa later this afternoon)

And by a stroke of luck, Manita's son turned up to support Manita and we managed to coerce him into taking the photos (and he knows what he's doing more than my Andy):

Thanks Scott. Previously to that, Brenda (Floral Fantasies) and hubby Eddy had popped in and helped out with setting up the photo area. Additionally, a gentleman was with his wife shopping in our store and helped out tremendously with sorting out our indoor lighting - thank you sir.

And if you are in the Peterborough region and require a photographer, it's worthwhile checking out if Scott's available, here's his website with contact details: www.alexander-scott.com

Here's a shot of some of the girls receiving their certificate:

Lisa (our new scrapbook tutor at Sir Stampalot)

Clare

Manita

Jenny

Lorna

Kay

Henreitta

Kim

Well done to you all.

Phew, that one was a big long wasn't it. I'll try not to keep you waiting so long for the next update. I've still loads to tell and show, so hopefully I'll be back soon.

Next weekend we are exhibiting up at Port Sunlight in The Wirral so hopefully see some of you there.

Happy crafting
- janice

Christmas Comes Early ...

2009-08-31T17:55:00.000+01:00

What a fab weekend we've just all had. It was the Sir Stampalot Christmas Launch weekend and we had 2 days of demos from 4 very talented ladies.

Saturday we were entertained by Gina with her watercolouring techniques using the Art Impressions range of stamps including the new Shoppe windows that have just arrived:

Gina also decorated some little metallic plant pots with paints, alcohol inks and stamped images, and used them as sweetie pots and also to hold the lovely give-away bookmarks she'd been preparing one night when she couldn't sleep - bless!

We were also blessed with the presence of Kim Reygate:

Kim was demo'ing all sorts of techniques including the wonderful versamagic chalky inkpads, sticky embossing and anything asked of her - thanks kim.

We've been very lucky to have Kim staying up here for the past week and she's helped enormously getting things ready for this weekend along with our other daily tasks - not much of a holiday, I'm afraid Kim but very much appreciated and hopefully we haven't put you off and you'll come back again!!

And the weekend fun didn't stop there, on Sunday, we had the creative duo Crafty Lou and Chris keeping us completely enthralled with their demos of shrink plastic, stamping, inking, colouring etc. As Brigitte put it so lovely on her blog A Stamp for All Seasons, "that Chris and Lou were a double treat" and that, they truly were.

Both Chris and Lou have been busily preparing for Sunday's demo for weeks. They've been creating a festive banner using the latest papers and stamp designs that will adorn the instore Christmas Stamp Shelves. They've also created tree ornaments for the twiggy tree, card samples and display boards for the store. They are true stars. And also thanks to Jo James for helping Chris as Chris has not been too well recently and was nearly not able to come yesterday but I'm so pleased she was able to make it - hopefully not in too much agony today because of it.

Here's Chris in action, note the banner at the front of her table, one of the display boards on the left hand side of the photo, in front of the twiggy tree.

here's the twiggy tree, with the brilliant tags, miniature works of art and shrink plastic creations dangling:

Here's Craft Lou in action, again, with her fantastically created banner at the front of the table along with loads of samples and ideas she was sharing.

The girls were very thoughtful and created hand-made projects for a charity fund raising game.

Chris has a pail full of ribbons. If you guessed how many pieces of ribbon were in her pail and you were the closest guesser, you won some reels of ribbon from me and a beautifully created festive notelet holder and 3 Christmas Thank You Notelets, made with inchies from inkadinkadoo.

Louise Roache from Spalding was the closest guesser. Her lucky number 96 was only 2 away from the actual quantity of 98 pieces, well done Louise - she is one of the ribbon queens of Spalding and obviously has an eye for these things!

Crafty Lou's button jar was the subject of the 'guess how many buttons' game.

Sue Watson from Peterborough had a lucky guess with 2012 (picked as the date of the next Olympics) and was only 4 buttons out from the actual quantity of 2016 (I'm glad I didn't have to count all them to get the actual figure!!).

Sue has won herself, a tilda present stamp from me and Craft Lou has created a stunning notebook using a tilda stamp, swirly stamp from Autumn Leaves and a greeting word stamp from Printworks.

(close up of Chris' project and Lou's one will follow in another blog update).

It was only 50p for a guess on both games and we raised £123.50 towards MS Research. Thanks everyone who took part and big thanks to the girls for their brilliant projects.

We were so busy at the till (thank you my very loyal and lovely customers) that unfortunately i didn't get to watch the demo's. However, the card samples, projects and festive banner from the weekend, have remained at Sir Stampalot and will be on display around the store for you all to see and admire on your next visit.

Here's a couple of pics of the 'Christmas Stamp Wall' at Sir Stampalot, WITHOUT the festive banner made by Lou and Chris:

In my next blog, I'll get another pic of these shelves with the festive banner, once I've put the shop back together tomorrow (should have been done today but we've decided to stay home for some R&R - I'm currently typing this and Andy is snoring next to me on the sofa!)

Right then, time for a cuppa, and search the cupboards for some food!

Happy crafting one and all.
- janice

It's not the size that matters!

2009-08-02T21:57:00.000+01:00

Long over due, but as promised here's some piccies of artwork Chris has made using the inkadinkadoo Inchies stamp sets - so called as most of the square designs on the set are just a mere inch in size.

And don't forget, if you like what you are seeing here, then go and have a butcher's at Chris' blog - "Always About Colour".

This is one of the projects Chris made for Sir Stampalot. She has already posted this on her blog a little while back but I just had to show you the detail that goes into some of her work.

Using versamagic ink to stamp out the Inchies from the Flower Garden stamp set, this is the front of a wallet that is kept closed with the lovely organza ribbon from Creative Impressions that has a lovely swirly design on it. This wallet opens up and contains matching notelets.

This notelet wallet project makes a wonderful gift idea for a birthday present or as thank you notelets to send someone for all the lovely Christmas presents we'll get this year (have we all been good??)

As part of the embellishments on the front of the wallet, Chris came up with, accidently, the 'peanut' flower look:

this is where she has inked the edges of Prima flowers (again with versamagic ink), and dropped the flower into clear embossing powder (this was the accidental bit if I remember rightly!). So she decided to gently heat set this flower covered in clear embossing powder - the texture of the flower and the colour of the ink assisted in the flower petals looking like peanuts! How cool is that?

The centers of the flowers are nicely embellished with cream shrink plastic circles stamped with designs from the same Inchies stamp set. And also a few separate ones adhered in a neat little row on the wallet front.

This is a brilliant, non-complicated card design that Chris came up with. Again using Inchies from the same set as before in 3 simple coordinating colours as the main focal point of the card (designs from the Flower Garden set).

And finished off with a greeting motif from the Woodware Clear Magic set - Circular Greetings, again using the same colours to match the Inchies.

Thanks Chris, these are brill. Just had a peep at your blog and love the new Sarah Kay card you posted on Saturday 1st - it's gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing the second variation you are working on - no pressure or anything!!

More Inchies to come next time .....

New Christmas Penny Black Designs

2009-07-15T00:34:00.000+01:00

Yeah, I know "Christmas already!" I hear you scream. It'll loom up on us quick again this year. Penny Black have released some 'preview' designs before their big launch of a complete Christmas range later this month. The preview range consists of 4 wood mounted stamps and 2 clear sets.

I've whipped up a couple of samples from one of the clear sets - Have a Holly Jolly (code: 30-039)

This cat and mouse design is so comical and I'm sure a few of us can relate to cats climbing up our Christmas trees and causing havoc.

All colouring has been achieved by using marvy le plume pens and watercolouring with them to give shading and colour intensity. The baubles and star have been ehanced with prism glitter to give them the all important Christmas bling.

The cheeky little mouse in the corner of the card, underneath the tree, has been coloured in to co-ordinate with the Bazzill cardstock:

All the pen colours and materials used for this card and the 2 following cards, can be found on the Sir Stampalot gallery.

Again, coloured with marvy pens, here's another design from the same clear set. I've used the greeting from the set, along the bottom of the card and just used some very small Bazzill brads to add some embellishment - still all very clean and simple. Of course, no Christmas card would be complete without the glitter, so Mr Snowman has some on his hat trimmings (I think I over-did the rosy cheeks!!):

I love this little mouse, he's so sweet. I've used a brad to attach some felt snowflakes from Hero Arts to the card.

I've again used the greeting from the set but this time, I stamped out words at a time (cleaning in between) so that I could create a more square greeting for my card rather than a long line - I also missed out the 'holly' word to show you that you can be quite versatile with any phrase and play around with them to create the look that you want. Just don't forget to clean the stamp well after each impression.

I then tried to be clever and used the inverted corner punch on all 4 corners of the mouse focal point so that it followed the curve of the snowflake embellishment.

However, the inverted corner round was the wrong angle of curve and so I made a feature with some little black peeloff circle frames and dots instead. This was a pure accident as well, as I was using tweezers to pick our only the tiny black peeloff dot from inside the black circle frame but picked up both and the dot shifted to one side. I felt it looked quirky, liked the look of it and just went for it. Then repeated for all 4 corners.

There are another 2 designs in the set that I haven't used - yet!!

If you want a sneaky peek at some of the wood mounted designs from this new Penny Black Christmas preview, then click over to Brenda's blog - Floral Fantasies. Brenda's an inspiration to us all and has some wonderful artwork along with very meaningful/thoughtful daily doses of write up.

-------------

Looking for a new challenge? Then go over and check out Dotty Divas. A brand new challenge blog based on ideas from adverts you see. Unfortunately the closing date for their design team has recently closed but there's heaps of potential for taking part and winning some stash. who can resist!! We are proudly sponsoring this challenge blog and I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone's creations.

Happy Crafting!
- Janice

Chris' Creations

2009-06-18T00:30:00.000+01:00

Some of you may recall a post back along where I introduced Chris, who demo'ed for us at the Harrogate show earlier this year (and did a fantastic job). Well, Chris is a regular tutor here at Sir Stampalot and contributes some amazing artwork for shop and show samples.

Here's a superb example of what Chris designs:

This card incorporates one of the latest designs from Hero Arts (Be Yourself).

The inkpad colours used are Jumbo Java and Red Brick by Versamagic:

Even the inside is well laid out and each section could be used as a card front in itself:

The lovely glittery red patterned paper is by My Mind's Eye, stamped greeting is by Whipper Snapper.

And intricate cutting of this foliage stamp design (keep the curved shape of the leaves by adhering with silicone glue):

And the message reflects Chris totally - 'one of a kind'.

Here's another card sample where Chris has used the same Hero Arts stamp set:

The greeting is such a unique saying that can be used in all situations. You can find it humourous and chuckle, it could bring you a smile and perk you up when feeling low. These tiny buttons are from Lasting Impressions:

Don't be fooled into thinking Chris has painstakingly sewn each button onto the card (sorry to spill the beans Chris!), but she's just threaded a little cotton through the holes (or co-ordinating thin strip of paper if you fancy) and then adhered the button onto the card with glossy accents. Neat eh?

Patterned paper is from KaiserKraft's Peek-a-Boo range, distressed with a soft brown inkpad, and I love the way that Chris has the little owl popping out of the 3D frame and the 'funky foliage' is entwined in and around the frame:

And again, Chris has created a lovely co-ordinating insert:

The greeting is by Penny Black and the frame is cut from the Cricut Machine using one of the designs from the Storybook cartridge. Notice that the frame is actually visible when the card is closed - see the first photo of this sample, as Chris has cut the card front so as not to be as wide and hence give a taste of the inside design.

Chris' Blog is called Always About Colour and was just launched last week. Go and have a butcher's.

Watch out for classes and demo's featuring Chris in the next set of Sir Stampalot events - release date for next event schedule is 1st July.

And if you ever get a chance to try any of Chris' Eton mess, ginger lemon cheesecake or messy caramel crunch, believe me, you really wouldn't want to miss out! She's a total all round star.

I'll be posting some more of Chris' creations shortly, showing off some of the 'inchies' designs from Inkadinkadoo.

More installments from Louise's Demo Day

2009-06-12T00:49:00.001+01:00

Here's one of the Tilda designs from the extremely popular Chasing Butterflies collection. Tilda with Ladybug takes centre stage here with the same embossing folder design as Louise used in the last post, again using an inkpad to emphasize one saying from the backing design.

A small flower brad has been used as in the middle of the greeting motif - "it's your day" by Hero Arts.

Louise has decorated a Woodware Chippie heart shape with co-ordinating patterned paper, distressed the edges, adhered a button and stamped a Magenta swirly stamp design on it. Whew, she doesn't do things by half does she??

And your final Tilda card creation from Louise for now, is this brilliant patchwork card using co-ordinating patterned paper (from Daisy Bucket), another Woodware Chippie shape, this time a lovely flower from the same set as the heart.

There is just so much going on in Louise's artwork but it never seems 'OTT'. Check out the shrink plastic owl on the sign post to the real twig from Louise's back garden for the sign post itself.

And then there's glossy accents used to highlight the flower petals in the flower pot, stitching, inking, distressing - she's just an amazing lady with talent bursting at the seams.

Thanks Louise, we LOVE your work. It's incredible.

And watch out for more of Louise's creations from the demo day using Hero Arts stamp sets .....

.... coming soon, to a blog near you!