Happy Easter stampers! This weekend we all think about sacrifices made for others, and whether you’re a Christian or not Easter is all about giving and new life and Spring!

So today I wanted to focus on what Stampin’ Up! is doing to help improve the lives of others in the UK. One of the key themes about being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator is “making a difference” to everyone around us through creativity and friendship. So they’ve been running a Cards for Keeps campaign with the aim of raising a lot of money for the UK Charity Coram by auctioning off handmade cards – but not made by just anyone!

They’ve asked  some of the UK’s leading stars of stage, screen, music, art, sport and more to create a unique card using a selection of goodies from the Stampin’ Up! range.  The celebrities have been asked to stamp their personalities on their designs – anything goes! – and the resulting mini works of art will be signed by the celebrity and auctioned on eBay 6^th May, 2014.

All money raised will be donated to Coram. Founded in 1739 Coram is the UK’s first-ever children’s charity. 2014 will mark the start of their 275th year of transforming children’s lives. Through services such as Adoption and Creative Therapies, Coram helps some of the UK’s most vulnerable children to feel safe and loved and have access to the education and opportunities in life all children need.

Tonight on the BBC there is also a special programme documenting Handel’s Messiah and how it was used as the first “charity pop concert” to raise money for Coram and his original hospital founded to help children who had nothing, so I thought it a good time to add my call to raise the awareness of this campaign and charity.

There has been amazing support from a wide range of celebrities who have spent their own time and creativity coming up with some wonderful cards, all of which YOU can bid for via eBay in early May. You can also see all of the cards online at Pinterest here at the special Cards for Keeps Board.

So which is your favourite? I have to say I like Twiggy’s and I’ll be hoping my own card might be joining them at the auction as Stampin’ Up! has run a competition for us demonstrators to send in our own creations to be auctioned alongside the stars! Isn’t that fab!

Anyway, I just wanted to draw your attention to one of the great things about Stampin’ Up!, their belief that crafting can improve people’s lives and that we can all make a difference! I hope I make a difference (in a good way!) to all my customers and friends who craft with me on a regular basis, or get to see my cards online and take inspiration from them.

If you’d like to craft with me in person and find out more about the fun and happiness that crafting can bring, then these are the dates for my classes for the rest of the year – you can book online via my Classes link or contact me via email queenpipcards@gmail.com.

May’s Technique Class is focusing on Watercolour & Wetlands and is nearly full, June’s will focus on using the Owl Builder Punch, and you’ll need to have the Owl Builder Punch to attend – but if you don’t have one, you can purchase one from me prior to the class. This looks to be very popular and is filling up fast – so don’t delay book today!

So, bye for now and I hope you have a lovely rest of the Easter weekend. Chat next week, hugs Pip xx