Stamp-a-faire Farewell Shots

My final for photo for Stamp-a-faire 2012. It was a wonderful  event. I thoroughly enjoyed it. What amazing hard work and effort went into this by Nichole Heady and all her team at  Papertrey Ink. Thank you all so much for all the fun and enjoyment of a great day.

Stamp-a-faire Homemade Embellishments

For the last Challenge  I chose Dawn Mcvey's beautiful butterflies.  They tutorial was brilliant and they were so easy and quick to make.  At this stage my brain was definitely slowing down having crafted all day and I did n't bother to thread the buttons.  When I get to using them as toppers I will. Again a great selection of tutorials to choose from on Nichole Heady's blog. Great thing is they are available to kick start the mojo at any time.

Stamp-a-faire Camp Card Challenge

The difficulty with this challenge was choosing one set to do during the event. The great thing is, I am looking forward to completing all the projects as  items to sell at the Christmas Fairs this year. The designs are so professional I would be proud to sell any of them. For Saturday I choose the lovely design my Melissa Phillips.  I am always inspired and motivated by Melissa's blog. Her work is so delicate and beautiful. Whenever I am stuck for some inspiration I pop over to her beautiful blog and off I go.  Did you get to see her video on the meet and greet and goodbye.  She came across as really nice. I used the new paper pad set released for Stamp-a-faire. Very light weight paper for making the paper beads but the designs are to die for !

Stamp-a-faire Tie Dye Techniques challenge

I laughed when Nichole said you cant go wrong with this. Mmmm I'm not so sure. I think I'll have to practise this technique a bit more. Anyway the sentiment is sent to all the participans in Stamp-a-faire from far and near.

Stamp-a-faire Paper Beads Challenge

Wanting to present the bracelet nicely in a photo I rummaged in my patterned paper bundle and pulled this piece quite randomly. Is n't it perfect for this challenge.

See the words in the centre - A friend is a present.

Some more photos from our walk last night.  Seems I had my tv programmes wrong for tonight. Superstars was not on after all.  Shame. 

Stamp-a-faire Limited Supply Challenge

My brain is a little wooly after a whole day of crafting. I am not used to all this luxury time. Rather than spend too much time dithering about what I would do I card lifted Nichole Heady's one. I'm happy with it. It is such a lovely design and some of my favourite colours too. Having a break now with a cup of tea and a s'more. Why not, I deserve it after all the hard work. Also going to tune into Andrew Lloyd Webber's tv programme " Superstar". We have been watching and enjoying it for the past week. Lovely summer time viewing. Going to make the next challenge while tv watching too. 

Stamp-a-faire Mini Book Challenge

Back again with another post for Stamp-a-faire Mini book challenge.

It was really hard to pick just one for today. I wanted to do them all.  Finally  I picked  the one by Betsy Veldman using the Card Base-ics die.  I am always astonished by the beauty of Betsy's work.

On our little runs up and down the road to Brittas we bought these lovely strawberries and new potatoes fresh from the farm.  Hey the little run around was worth it just for them. We have just had a lovely BBQ dinner so I have plenty of strength now to keep going. Will I last it till the middle of the night to complete all the challenges.  Pop back and see !

Do you like the ribbon. I saw it in a market a couple of weeks ago in Italy. Just had to get it.

Last nights s'mores. I am going to make a couple more tonight if I get a chance to take a break. They were gorgeous.



Happy Saturday crafting with Papertrey Ink and Stamp-a-faire 2012.

 A little cottage down by the bridge.

 Road signs in Ireland dont always make a lot of sense but if you follow them you'll get there sometime, somehow !

 The beach last night lovely and quiet.  We took this lovely photo of  The little local shop that sells almost everything. It is where I got to spend my pocket money as a kid on sweet and icecreams.   A piece of my childhood....

 All set out  and ready in one of the tiny bedrooms in the mobile home.  Huh ! Read on....

We had a lovely trip to Wicklow yesterday afternoon. No heavy traffic, lovely sunshine and the promise of a lovely weekend. The journey took less than an hour and after a quick unpack of the car we went for walk to enjoy the weather and took some photos.  Later  I laid out all my bits and bobs on one of the beds in one of the tiny bedrooms ready for today.

After a nice cup of tea we tested the broadband strength and it looked promising. However trying to view videos was a challenge to say the least. I was able to tune into and post on the meet and greet thread on the forum and then to link to my blog. However it was very difficult to see the videos. I got to see Nichole's opening and the beginning of Melissa Philips but then it stopped and it looked like it would take forever to download. I was happy to stay and just use the blog posts but hubby pressed me to come back home and enjoy all the festivities in full.  With a lot of laughter we packed the car again this morning and drove back home.  Why or why can't I ever take the easy road......

Anyway now that I'm settled again I'm having the time of my life at Stamp-a-faire. The tutorials and videos are out of this world. The effort and hard work put into the event by everyone at Papertrey Ink really shows. Thank you all so much.

This is my card from the Make-n-take

Thank you Nichole for a wonderful tutorial. You made everything so straight forward and simple. I really enjoyed taking part in this. I just love this stamp set.

and this is my entry for the Ribbon Techniques Challenge

Can you see the little camp badge ?

Friends and family will  tell you I have a real thing for notebooks. I could n't tell you how many I have made since I first saw them on michellewooderson's blog. I was very happy to partake in Michelle's ribbon tutorial  today. I have been a great fan of her work and am very grateful for all the wonderful inspiration over the past years. Thank you Michelle.

All packed and ready for Stamp-a-faire 2012 with Papertrey Ink

 Summer time is good for me. Lots of free time to chill out and craft just for the fun of it.  The craft fair items are given a back seat as I try to learn new skills and techniques. Last Christmas I got a beautiful sewing machine and I have had a great time tackling many projects. This doll which I finished  this week is one of them. Is n't she lovely. She is called Tilda Flowergarden. She comes as a kit and is designed by the very talented   Tone Finnanger   Such beautiful  fabric designs ! Do you like her necklace ?  Hush don't tell anyone. I had no patience I had  to have a little go of the new die. More about that on Saturday !

In the top photo the doll is sitting on my packed bag ready for  Stamp-a-faire . Last year I travelled to Cincinnati to attend the event. It was a very special time in my life and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment. I had  a brilliant time. This year it is a special online event available for everyone. Pop over to Nichole Heady's blog to join in the amazing events. I cant wait. I am so looking forward to it.  As my sons are away on scout camp in Scotland, my hubby and I are heading to Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow to our holiday home and keeping our fingers crossed that I get a good internet connection. If not I'm coming straight back home !

Life in Brittas Bay is very easy and laid back. A perfect place to be.

 

Wishing all my Papertrey Ink buddies a  Happy Stamp-a-faire weekend.  Happy crafting.