Countdown to the new and improved FaithScrappers UK Website!

I've been beavering away behind the scenes working on the new and improved website for FaithScrappers UK, and the big reveal is almost upon us!

Part of me is excited .... I love the new look. But another part of me is nervous .... will the members like it???

Well, I guess I'll find out soon - be sure to check out the new site from Thursday 1st January 2009 at www.faithscrappersuk.com

I'm Back!

WOW - is it really that long since I last posted??? :(

So much has been happening lately - some good, some not so good. It's been a bit of a rough couple of months but I think I'm finally getting back to normal.

The biggest "not so good" is that we have had to take the decision to close our online shop completely. It's been really difficult for me to come to terms with - with Immanuel and Craft Magic UK I've had an online craft shop for almost 4 years, and really enjoyed my work. But, with the economic climate the way it is at the moment, customers are (quite understandably) not buying luxury items. So, the shop has closed - I just need to sell the ton of stock I have somewhere - please pray for me that another shop will buy it from me so I can at least get some of my money back.

But, on the good side, I'm branching out even further into the world of Avon. I signed up as a Sales Leader, and this is beginning to pay off - and I'm enjoying it as much as I did the crafting. I'm also working on a few other commission based jobs - so watch this space!

I just thank God every day that He is beside me. Without Him, I don't think I could have got through the past few months - even with Ian by my side who is such a rock for me. So, onwards and upwards!

INTRODUCING .........

Our FIRST LifeSeeds Kit!

EASTER is a gorgeous kit containing:-

• 2 sets of cardstock letters E A S T E R (one mirrored)
  2 A4 sheets of acetate for joining your letters (this is Inkjet Acetate so you could use one sheet for joining your letters and the second to print your own overlays)
  1 sheet each of 6 LifeSeeds Easter Patterned Papers (12x12)
  1 A4 sheet of cardstock tags (uncut so you can cut or tear them out)
  1 A5 sheet of clear stickers with Easter themed scriptures and images
  1 Polymer Stamp - Cross Hatching
  A selection of paper flowers and diamantes.
  A suggestion sheet for how to make up your album.

Once you've completed your album, you will still have LOADS of paper left for making Easter Cards, using on other projects etc.

All our papers, cardstock and stickers are Acid Free, although the ink is not water resistent. Polymer stamps shouldn't be used with a solvent based ink.

These kits are great value and just £9.95 plus postage - check them out HERE including a picture of the kit contents. I'll be posting photos of my sample when Ian brings the work's camera home tonight, and the Design Team examples will be following close behind!

We'd LOVE to know what you think of the kit :D

Flippin Scanner!!

I HATE TECHNOLOGY!!!! Five times I've tried scanning my Mother's Day Card, and I just keep losing the file :( But, it will go on here as soon as I can work out what's going wrong.

God was definitely watching out for me yesterday. I didn't have a CLUE what I was going to do for my MD card, until I got home from the school run and found a delivery card saying there was a parcel next door. As I wasn't expecting anything I didn't know what it could be.

The box said 'Stampin' up!' - hmmmm, I'd not ordered anything. When I opened it up, it was my goodie box for taking part in their Survey Panel! I didn't even realise I'd done 3 months already. Well, it was well worth filling in the forms - I am now the owner of a snowflake punch, a set of 7 GORGEOUS floral Two Step Stamps, 6 double ended pens and a pack of very nice, violet cardstock. Hence - the MD card :D

Thank you Stampin' Up!

Well, the boys have gone back to school/nursery so I've actually managed to get some work done today!

We bought me a new desk yesterday for my office, so I've been re-arranging the office this morning, and getting our first LifeSeeds Kit ready to send off to the Design Team girlies. I'm REALLY pleased with it - but you'll have to wait a little bit longer to see it. We'll be launching it on Monday 3rd February, so be sure to check out www.immanuelcg.com then!

Speaking of Immanuel, I've added a Polymer version of each of our stamps to the site today, so if you are looking for something with a uniquely christian feel for your cardmaking/scrapbooking - check them out.

Well, I'm off for another coffee before I start working on putting my own EASTER kit together - well, I can't let the DT have ALL the fun now, can I????? :D

I'm officially a BAAADDDD blogger!

OOOps - just seen the date of my last post! Where does the time go????

Well, I had a great weekend. We went up to the Craft Hobby and Stitch show at the NEC on Sunday looking for new stock for the shop. WOW! There is some truly strokeable stash from the CHA Winter show last week. And a lot more Christian themed stuff than last year - which is good news for us.

I have been pouring over catalogues for the past couple of days, and drooling! I'll let you know as soon as the new stuff is on it's way. In the meantime, I'm putting the finishing touches to our first LifeSeeds Kit, which will be launched on Monday 3rd March - so watch this space!

Personally, not a lot going on at the moment. I've quite enjoyed having a bit of extra time now that CMUK has closed, but I'm now beginning to get bored - doesn't take much as any crafty person knows! I've been making lots of plans for fundraising events for Discovery Dockland Trust who I work for part-time, and I've set up our fundraising shop at http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ - there are over 500 shops to choose from so if you are planning a little online shopping trip, and would like to help us at the same time, then click on DISCOVERY DOCKLAND TRUST when you register. DDT supports two Scout water activities centres - Dockland Scout Project and Discovery Sailing Project. Check us out!

James had his first school photo taken a couple of weeks ago, so I'm hoping they will be there when we go back after half term so I can scrap them! Speaking of half term, the dynamic duo are doing their level best to wind me up - so I think I'm going to need LOTS of crafty time next week! Any excuse eh!!!

Note to self - get your bum in gear and update the blog more often lol!

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Corinne! I've only ever done this once before, so please excuse me if I do it wrong lol.



The rules of the game are:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.


2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them.


3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

Well, here goes:-

1. I am possibly the untidiest person in the world!


2. Organisation isn't my strong point - now that is an understatement!


3. I appeared on Songs Of Praise with the Guides when I was about 12 at Chelmsford Cathedral - how embarrasing!


4. I am a Queen's Scout


5. I love all kinds of crafts, but my passions are cardmaking and scrapbooking


6. I have a fold in my left earlobe - apparently my Nan's almost freeked when they first saw me! They thought there was something wrong.


7. I am an Arsenal supporter (although I wouldn't say I'm fanatical about footy, so don't ask me any questions lol!)

So, who to tag ??????? Let's start with the CMUtd Challenge Team - sorry girls lol.

1. Julie
2. Fi
3. Susie - she's already been tagged, so lets see if she can come up with another 7 facts :D

I'll tag some more when I can find some!

Challenge CMUtd!

Have you checked out the new challenge site from CardMakers United yet?
Following the closure of Craft Magic UK, the Design Team asked me to set up a challenge blog so we could continue with the CMUtd Challenges - so, I obliged :D We are now on challenge #2 - here is my effort:-

The challenge is to make a card using any theme or technique BUT you must only use a MAXIMUM of three colours (shades of a colour count as 1).
Mine has been made using light green card, and two papers from the next release of products from the Immanuel Crafts & Gifts LifeSeeds range (http://www.immanuelcg.com/). The flower is a sticker from PaperMania.
To join in with the challenge, visit http://challenge-cmutd.blogspot.com/

Plans for 2008!

Well, it seems everywhere I turn lately, God is telling me about my 'mission'. He has really put FSUK in my heart with renewed vigour - and my vision for the forum and our community has grown SOOOO much in the past few weeks.

My vision for our retreats is that EVERY one of our members should have the opportunity to attend one of our retreats - whether they choose to or not is entirely their decision, but I don't want cost or distance to be an obstacle. So, I am working on ways of making this happen! Watch this space - a Sponsored Scrap is on it's way in the VERY near future!

I've spent this weekend counting my blessings - my darling James was 4 today and is growing up so quickly. It only seems like yesterday that he was a little bundle in my arms. Now I have three 'men' to take care of me - Joe, James and of course, Ian. What more could a girl ask for!

It's back to school for them tomorrow, so the pile of uniforms needing ironing is beckoning. So, it's coffee, ironing board and Heartbeat for me tonight!

HAPPY 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, here we are. The first day of a new year!

I have so much I want to do this year, and so many prayers I'd love to see answered - but I know that will only be done in His time. So, my first prayer for 2008 is for the patience to wait for things to happen in God's time, and for the strength to carry on knowing that in God, all things are possible!

So, I wish you all a VERY happy, healthy and Faith-full 2008. May He guide you, keep you and love you throughout the year, and beyond.