My name is Philippa Jones, but known as Pippa to just about everybody. PaperPiskies came about because I was born in Cornwall, where Piskies (not pixies!) are part of our heritage. I now live in Wickham Bishops in Essex with my husband and two grown-up children (not always present in the home!)
I come from a fairly ‘crafty’ family, and between us we have attempted many crafts over the years. I inherited my love of card-making when my parents bought me an Anna Griffin card-making kit for a birthday, and there has been no looking back since then.
I have made cards for family and friends for many years, and loved attending craft shows at places such as Alexandra Palace and the NEC in Birmingham. Scared about starting a card class on my own, I roped in my cousin Sally, an experienced scrapbooker and card-maker, and in 2005 we started, “Crafty Cousins” card classes at my home, and we hold monthly classes on Thursday evenings and Friday mornings for an enthusiastic bunch of ladies who have become our friends, although we welcome newcomers to our ever-expanding classes. We always treat our ladies to home-made cakes and they usually go home with three hand-made cards after each session, with lots of laughter on the way. How lovely to turn up empty-handed and leave with a full tummy, three hand-made cards, occasionally a gift, and certainly after an entertaining few hours, sometimes turning disastrous first attempts into masterpieces!
Although I work part-time in a Junior School, I have still found time to pursue my joy in crafting, and am so proud of having been able to produce the entire wedding stationery for several weddings, and commissions for other special occasions such as births, parties, school proms, banners, Christmas tableware, as well as hosting crafting parties to suit any occasion. I have had great fun hosting parties for children of Junior School age right through to teaching groups in retirement homes. Set me a challenge and I will be happy to meet it!
Just over a year ago I discovered Stampin ’ Up through Chris, one of our card-making ladies, and immediately became totally hooked! What a revelation – the inks match the paper, match the card, match the pens, match the designer papers. The stamps match the punches, match the papers, and what amazing designs and quality! How could I not become obsessed? Since then I have become a demonstrator, and am gradually acquiring a fantastic range of Stampin Up products. Every Wednesday I hold a Stampin ‘Up workshop at my home, demonstrating new techniques, new products, and always introducing new ladies to our group. At present all classes are held in my ground floor garden room, for a maximum of twelve, though for special events I can accommodate more. I do host individual workshops, so if you and your friends would like to visit me to experience the Stampin ‘Up range please get in touch. I arrange workshops here or at your home. These workshops are free, and I demonstrate two cards from the newest catalogue and a 3D project, you make and take a card, participate in a grand raffle, and go home a happy bunny , having looked at the fabulous current catalogue and hopefully a converted Stampin ‘Upper!
I used to craft in our attic, but that meant my better half carrying cups of coffee up two flights of stairs for me (on rare occasions) or alternatively me having to make the trip in reverse when I needed my hourly coffee kick. It also meant that on some evenings we hardly exchanged more than a few words, and in fact in the end my husband installed an intercom between us so that we could a least agree whose coffee run was imminent! However, on returning from a fabulous Stampin ‘Up Convention in Telford I discovered my dining-room had been transformed into “Pippa’s Playpen”, with all my crafting goodies stacked high waiting for me to arrange them in their new home. Several trips to Ikea and views of craftrooms on Pinterest later, I am ecstatic and nearly organised in my new surroundings, and how cool to have coffee within reach in seconds instead of a phone call away.
Becoming a Stampin ‘Up demonstrator has not only given me new friends, a fabulous range of materials to work with, great opportunities, discounts and an abundance of knowledge, but I now have some very special ladies (and gentlemen) demonstrators who I feel are always there for me. We support each other through Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, e-mail , SMS, phone and our personal demonstrator website. If you become a demonstrator through me and become one of my Paper Piskies, you will be invited to meet us monthly not only to eat cakes , cuddle babies and exchange family news, but also to share ideas, worries and the latest Stampin ‘Up gossip. Generally we spend a good few hours together and part feeling refreshed and inspired.
Thank you for reading all about me
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