A Year In Review


This post really should be subtitled 'A Few Of My Favourite Things'!"
I've been looking back over projects from this past year and have picked out some - 12 in fact - to share in this post.
Details from the original projects can be viewed by clicking the images. Products, where still available, are for viewing in store by clicking on the words. Where the product is no longer available I may add suggestions to use in replacement.
My first is from the beginning of the year. The final class last December in which we made a framed picture.

The ladies enjoyed making this. After they'd left I played around and added tiny LED lights. Each time I look at this it brings back the magic of Christmas, those nippy winter nights but we're thankful to be all cosy in our homes. Such a fitting sentiment. The frame was so popular and, by looking around at projects this Christmas, it seems that it's popular still!
The dies used are the Hometown Greeting Edgelits. I'm not surprised to see they're still available in store as they are such a lovely set.
Original post -
http://lellyjellys.blogspot.com/2017/12/just-for-fun-december.html

My next project is a shutter card. I made this from the stunning Painted With Love DSP. Sadly no longer available. This would look equally fabulous made with any of our Speciality DSP, particularly Frosted Floral which has copper foiling on some of the sheets.



Now, I have to admit it, I do have one little gripe about some of the shutter cards I've seen online. Their shutter, well, it just isn't a shutter! Of the two pieces of card that form the shutter, they should both overlap each other so that they become entwined, not simply have one piece of card laid on top of the other. Can't help it, I do find it irritating! Having said all that, it's a fun card and  really isn't difficult to make so there's no excuse for not getting it inline. So, I obviously need to exercise some patience when I check them out online! It was a pleasure to have such beautiful card and paper to work with also to watch the ladies grasp the mechanics of this - that 'Aha!' moment. A 'plus' for being a demo!
Original post -
http://lellyjellys.blogspot.com/2018/01/painted-with-love.html
I did a sneak peek video of the card and then followed up with another shutter card and video when I shared a fab addition to our catalogues in the form of Brushos. You can see the video here...




WOW! This was a fun card to make. Lots of opportunity to get crafty, creative and messy! Below is a picture of the finished card. Whilst the stamp set is no longer available, any of our stamps would work well like this.


Original post -
http://lellyjellys.blogspot.com/2018/01/epic-celebrations.html

This next project is not included because it's one of my absolute favourites, although I quite like it, it's included because it was made by our ladies during Coffee and Card in Costa.


I never know exactly who'll be joining me at these events as they're not pre-book but a 'drop in'.
I love sharing crafting with the lovely ladies who turn up and the sessions are a really pleasant way to spend the morning twice each month. I have met some lovely people during the mornings, you can see some of them on the original post by clicking on the picture of the card. The stamp set is called Picture Perfect and is suitable for everyone! It's also still available!
I must just add, I also run monthly classes and have been blessed to meet such nice craft people. Yet another plus for being a demo!
Original post -
http://lellyjellys.blogspot.com/2018/01/picture-perfect-birthday.html

I was really rather fond of this next card - a juggling panda. Made around this time last year, it featured a stamp only available during Salebration (SAB). Now, before you get all 'what's the point' on me, let me explain that there is a truly fun brand new stamp set in January's SAB catalogue which has a jumping frog! See, never one to disappoint! Here's the original card...


And yes, there's a video to go with this one too!


There's also a 'How To' video - don't say I don't spoil you!


Original post - 
http://lellyjellys.blogspot.com/2018/03/juggling-panda.html

Another favourite now - using the bokeh technique. Like the shutter fold this was a new one for me. It's fun to learn new folds and techniques.


It was fun to teach this one too! I'd made the card as an 'unbirthday' card. Prior to being a demonstrator only a few of my cards would arrive late. I could afford to spend hours on an individual card, fussing over and over until it was right.  I still LOVE to create but sometimes I get caught up with prep for classes and other related things. So, I've had to develop a new style of card giving. The Unbirthday Card. 
It's become popular with some of my friends as on their birthday they tend to get quite a few cards whereas my unbirthday card turns up out of the blue, you just never know when!
I've learnt that I need to get back to keeping my planner up to date but, in the meantime, I've created a whole new reason to celebrate. That can't be bad!
Original post -
http://lellyjellys.blogspot.com/2018/03/a-very-merry-bokeh-unbirthday.html

Now this one was fun to make - a shaker card in what I will insist on calling a 'wardrobe' card fitted with a belly band. I know, that's not what it's called but it always reminds me of wardrobe doors!


I made it to congratulate my buddy Kim on her promotion to Gold, what and amazing achievement!!! As you can see, no bare envelopes!
I am so very fortunate to have made many wonderful friends through being a demonstrator and Kim is a fabulous buddy to have!
I used a mix of sequins and punched out shapes inside the card window. We have slightly different sequins at present - super metallic ones! 
Original post -
http://lellyjellys.blogspot.com/2017/04/my-onstage-swaps.html

We've had 4 large events in our family during 2018. My husband and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. My youngest son got married,
our daughter in law had her 30th birthday, my eldest son moved to Spain.
We are a close family so these events have certainly raised lots of emotions this past year. I'm going to share cards with you from 3 of these family occasions.
This is the card I made for the wedding. A VERY simple card.


Although so simple, this card took me ages. Each letter had to be welded onto the previous one and then it was die cut using my Silhouette. The tiny flowers are cut using a punch (now retired).
Original post -
http://lellyjellys.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-wedding-of-year.html

This is the card for my daughter in law's 30th. It's an eclipse shaker card. This also took me ages. It was decorated on all sides but here I've just shared the inside.


Does the DSP look familiar? Yes, I'd had some Painted With Love stashed away when it retired. I spent a lot of time trying not to get glue everywhere!
Original post - http://lellyjellys.blogspot.com/2018/06/eclipse-shaker-card.html

Although I'd always thought that my eldest son would, at some point, work and live overseas, I'd tried not to put it at the forefront of my mind. I believe we'd brought the children up to have wings and fly but it's still hard to watch it happen .... even when they're 32!!! So, whilst it may look very ordinary, this was yet another very special card for me.


I made good use of the Best Route suite of products. There are stamps (En Route stamp set), DSP, washi tape, enamel shapes and Memories and More cards.
I slipped the card into the side pocket of his laptop case. Not a very smart move as he didn't discover it!

My final two cards are from this past month. Both are Christmas cards. The first is our family card and depicts a bulldog. We have an 18month old bulldog pup who seems to take up every waking moment, so how could I leave her out?


As soon as I saw the bulldog in the Sitting Pretty stamp set I knew I had to have it, I really wasn't overstruck on the other stamps but they've grown on me. I had the image in mind right from the start and it still makes me laugh every time I look at it. The DSP is Festive Farmhouse (about to retire!). Stamp set also available as a bundle.
Original post - http://lellyjellys.blogspot.com/2018/12/merry-christmas-from-my-family.html
Here is Lily in one of her more peaceful moments...


My final card is another very simple on. Despite this it has received so many 'likes' in groups on Facebook where it's posted. So, it seems, less really is more!


Balmy Blue and Lovely Lipstick ink daubed onto white notecards. Trees (Lovely As A Tree) stamped in Memento black ink. The sentiment is from Nature Sings. The card is finished off with white gel pen from my stash.
Original post -
http://lellyjellys.blogspot.com/2018/12/my-personal-christmas-cards.html

It's been fun to look back over this past years projects and view my creative journey. I can't believe it's my job!

There were so many projects I wanted to include in this review but I limited it to 12. As I look back at those I've selected it reminds me of why I became a demonstrator and, more importantly, why I remain.
Sure, many of us join just for the inital discount.
It's a good deal. In fact, during Saleabration (starting 5th Jan) it's an even better deal. But I've gained so much more.

I'm thankful for the beautiful products I get to work with. The wonderfful friends I've made along the way and the fun times I've shared with them. Being able to share my passion for papercraft and see new crafters grow in confidence. The ability to make lovely things for my family and friends, even if they sometimes arrive late!

Would you like to be part of this fun group? I'd love to have you join me.
It's always a great time to join Stampin' Up but next week brings a super extra value to the experience.
Contact me - lesleylendon@gmail.com  or join here -


It's amazing what happens when you craft, all this from just stamps, ink and paper!

Lesley

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