Want to win some stamps?

Enter the Stampin’ Up! Summer Design Challenge.

This summer you can win free stamp sets when you participate in the Summer Design Challenge.

Simply create a summer-inspired project using Stampin' Up! products from the current UK Idea Book & Catalogue 2008-2009, and submit it no later than 31 August 2009 for your chance to win!

Prizes:

Four prizes will be awarded to demonstrators and customers:

Demonstrators:

Demonstrator First Place: £150 worth of stamps sets

Customers:

Customer First Place: £150 worth of stamps sets
Customer Second and Third Place: £50 worth of stamps sets

Summer Design Challenge Rules

Projects must be created using only Stampin' Up! products from the current UK Idea Book & Catalogue 2008-2009.Only one project per participant will be accepted.Projects can be cards, home decor, scrapbook pages, or 3D items.All projects must be summer-themed.Projects must be unique, and created for the Summer Design Challenge. Do not just recycle your old projects.A list of products used must be included with the project submission.

Full contact information, including your full name, demonstrator ID (if you are a demonstrator), address, phone number, and e-mail address must be included with the project submission.

Projects will not be returned as they may be displayed at future Stampin' Up! events or on the Stampin' Up! web site.

Contact me if you want more information and enjoy the weekend!

Natalie x

This time a week ago......

I was still recovering from this!!!! Our first Stamp With Us Retreat was a complete blast. Everyone had a fantastic time (well, that is what they told us!) and they were already asking when the next one would be half an hour into the first class! Well, we did spoil them as you can see from some of the goodies shown here!

Life is whizzing by as usual. The kids broke up from school tody - ahhh six weeks of "I'm bored!" - can't wait! My husband was made redundant three weeks ago so he has the delights of looking after then whilst I go to work at the moment until he finds work. He's been for a few interviews and has more to go to so I don't hold out on him being home for the whole of the summer holiday, but that would save a childcare problem :) I'll keep you updated on that one.

Below is a picture of this months Kits "By Mail". I have done a new website www.natalieoshea.co.uk which has alot of stuff on. I was finding that I couldn't keep everything on a blog up the top and there was just too much to keep going on about, so decided I would start a proper website which had a shopping cart and all sorts! Anyway, below is the Petal Party kit which is July's kit. All supplies to make 18 cards - and how summery - this is one of my most favourite kits that SU do - really bright and fresh.

Well, the boys are at their final football tournament on Saturday then I think we get a month or so off until it all starts again - hurrah! They love it but it does take over our lives somewhat!

Anyway, swine flu has hit our next door neighbour and our boys school so it really is a reality now - I don't think you think too much about it until it's on your doorstep - and now it quite literally is. The neighbour is fine though just a day later - those drugs must be good!

Anyway, I've got the on-line classes that I am prepping for at the moment together with a Wheel Class on Monday so had better go - I've got some kits to pack! Have a look at www.stampwithus.blogspot.com to sign up for the on-line classes starting August 1st - 10 PDF classes and more for just £15!

Have fun and I'll try and be back soon again!

Natalie x

I know, I know

Do you know how hectic life is around here at the moment?

I trialled Kits "By Mail" and there was far more interest than I expected!

For those that can't attend classes or don't have an SU rep near you, I put together a Tart & Tangy Kit "By Mail" where you got the Stamp set and everything you needed to make the following:

It was a great success and something that I will add to my *new* website! Watch this space - it's coming :)

A little matter of the first Stamp With Us Retreat in Guildford this weekend is keeping me up many hours this week.

We've had sons birthday parties which is why we have the first card shown - he is a football nut and loved his card :)

We've had my birthday too which was lovely but over far too quickly.

Lots and lots more news too but up to my eyes in retreat stuff.

I am off next Monday and Tuesday so hoping to recover from weekend and get "caught up" :)

Have fun!

Natalie x

Happy Fathers Day!

Hi again,

Here is the card that I made for my father in law - he liked it.

It's also the card that I made for the Stamp With Us challenge blog.

Lots planned this week. I have a Stampin' Up! party and class this week, a little boys birthday coming up on the 30th that I have to go shopping for, and the usual stuff too!

I'll fill you in on some of the other things in a few more days.

Hope you have all enjoyed the sunshine this weekend - it's supposed to be gorgeous this week - can't wait!

Have fun!

Natalie x

I didn't want to come back :(

:) Until I could keep up a regular pattern.

I am so sorry I have neglected my blog recently.

I have the worst habit of taking on too many things, then stopping them, then getting free time, then getting bored, then taking on more things...... you see a pattern here :) ?

Life has just been soooooooooo busy.

Working part-time in an office, together with being a mum and and wife with the chores that goes with that doesn't leave much time to play at Stampin' Up!

I love doing SU parties, classes and workshops and back in April took Tuesdays off to concentrate on growing my SU business so that one day in the future, I could maybe do SU full-time. I get so carried away with ideas and put that together with lots of people who love the idea too and we all get carried away.

Just in the next few weeks, I have classes, workshops, on-line classes, weekend retreats, kits by mail and more to organise - arrrghhhhh!

So, I am going to keep this reasonably short (in terms of subject not length!) and then I'm going to try and update at least once every three days.

Here goes then, today is going to be final countdown to the retreat:

Just a quick note to give you some more information about our upcoming retreat.

It is now just under a month away and hope that you are as excited as we are about it. We already know that we are going to have great fun!

Booking for this weekend retreat will close on 30th June 2009, so if you know of anyone who has been thinking about joining us, if you could let them know, they need to hurry - just two more weeks before we need to ensure we have enough of everything for everyone.

So, to confirm some of the finer details then......

If you need directions to the venue, have a look at this link http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/925/en/hd/guisu and you can take a virtual tour of the hotel and put your postcode in to get directions.

For those staying the Friday night, you are able to check into your rooms from 2pm and the pool, gym, bar and restaurant will all be available for use.

The Holiday Inn still have some rooms reserved for us, so if you haven't had a chance to book your room yet, make sure that that you give them a call.You can use the main number or 01483 784444. This number is manned Monday to Friday 8am to 5.30pm. You need to quote "Stamp With Us" weekend and reference code KL6. On Saturday 20th of June, they will release any rooms that they are holding for us, so you will still be entitled to our rates but you can only book if they have availability.

Just to remind you the rates are £80 per room for one night (£80 if single, £40 each if twin) and an additional £55 per room if you want to stay an additional night (Friday or Sunday). Again £55 if single, £27.50 pp if twin.

Registration will start at 8am on Saturday morning. We have four 2 hour classes planned for you for each day, so breaks and light lunch will be reasonably short but we thought you'd rather have more time to play with paper :). Lunch is included within your payment. Classes will continue until 5.30pm.

You will then be free to organise your own evening meal. The hotel does bar food, has a restaurant, has room service and there is a Tescos across the road too :)

On Saturday night, we have big plans for our CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!! There will be Make & Takes, Demos, games and general fun, so don't forget your Santa hat and your Bauble earrings to join the fun LOL! This will be from 7.30pm onwards.

On Sunday, breakfast is included if you are staying in the hotel, but classes will start again at 8.30am, with four classes going on throughout the day. Another light lunch is included. We will aim to finish the day between 5pm and 6pm.

So if you are not joining us - what are you waiting for? And if you can't do all weekend - how about joining us just for the day?

Anyone else want to come and "Stamp With Us?"

See you within three days. Promise!

Natalie x

Crazy for Classes!

Cardmaking and Scrapbooking Classes in Crawley, West Sussex

For the Chocolate Class and from now on, all Card Classes with over 8 participants will be held in the Practical Room at Maidenbower Junior School.

This is a great room with plenty of space, electricity supplies for embossing and sinks galore - we can finally get messy LOL!

The school is by the shops and when you walk through the reception doors, you will have signs leading you to the Room where we will be.

So, here we go....the low down!

JUNE 2009

Wednesday 10th June 7pm - 10pm
Tart & Tangy Boxed Card Set - £20

In this class you will receive your own copy of the Tart & Tangy stamp set to take away with you! You will be making 10 cards and a box using your stamp set and the co-ordinating Summer Picnic Papers.

Monday 15th June 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Scrap Club at Montefiore Hall, Three Bridges

Thursday 25th June 7.30pm - 10pm
Fresh Cut Notes in a Bag - £15

In this class you will make four cards using the new Fresh Cuts Notelets presented in a gorgeous Bag. You can pre-order your own set of the Fresh Cuts stamp set to use at this class for just £16.50 including delivery (that's 20% off!) Orders must be received by Monday 15th June to be ready for the class.

JULY 2009

Thursday 9th July - 7pm - 10pm
Wheel Class - £20

In this class you will receive your own Jumbo Wheel Handle and Jumbo wheel of your choice (choice needs to be notified by Monday 29th June). You will learn 11 techniques of what you can do with your wheels and come away with four cards and a bag.

Monday 13th July - 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Scrap Club at Maidenbower Junior School

Thursday 23rd July 7.30pm - 10pm
Tag, You're It! - £15

In this class you will make five cards and a wrap. You can pre-order your own set of the Tag Punches for just £11.00 each (including P&P) or the Seeing Spots Stamp Set for just £12.20 (that's 20% off!). Orders must be received by Monday 13th July to be ready for the class.

AUGUST 2009

Thursday 6th August - 7.30pm - 10.00pm
Le Jardin Card Box and Card Set - £15

Add a touch of elegance to any occasion when you gift someone with one of these gorgeous cards featuring the Le Jardin papers and the Pretties Kit. In this class, you will create four cards, each featuring different elements from the Pretties Kit and a custom designed box to hold them in.

Monday 10th August - 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Scrapclub at Maidenbower Junior School

For Scrapclub, It's £5 to join us and £7.50 extra to buy a kit (ordered in advance!)

The offer is still available that if you want to buy any of the products used in the classes, you can have 10% off if you order them on the night of the class.

You only need to bring your own basic tool kit (trimmer / scissors and glue) to each class.

All bookings will be confirmed by email once payment is received. Please email me on natalie@oshea26.freeserve.co.uk for more information and to reserve your place.

Have fun!

Natalie x

Want to earn some extra cash or just get a discount on your habit :) ?

There is no denying that times are tough for alot of people at the moment. Bills going up, pay cuts becoming common if that then doesn't lead to redundancies.

Could you do with some more cash in your pocket? Want to earn it doing something that is completely non-pressurised, great fun and hardly feels like hard work at all :)?

I would be more than happy to chat about how you can either just get the discount for yourself or how you can build a business working from home and around your family commitments. My team is growing by the day and they all love what they do and do what they love! Do you want to join us?

FOR MAY ONLY, STAMPIN' UP! HAVE INTRODUCED A NEW STARTER KIT. MAINLY AIMED AT SCRAPBOOKERS, YOU CAN JOIN ME FOR JUST £99 IN MAY! IF YOU HAVE BEEN THINKING OF BECOMING A DEMONSTRATOR, EVEN IF IT IS JUST TO GET THE DISCOUNT FOR YOURSELF, MAY IS THE CHEAPEST MONTH EVER TO JOIN!

Email me natalie@oshea26.freeserve.co.uk or phone me on 01293 888816 and I'd be happy to chat to you about how SU can work for you.

Have fun!

Natalie x