Another Challenge Project

I have a list of websites that do challenges each week, sometimes I play along, sometimes I just look at the great creations of others because who doesn't like looking at pretty things!  Yesterday while browsing the various challenges I saw two that looked nice but held no appeal for me.  That was until this morning when I got up early to watch the live feed of Angie Kenedy Juna over at Chic N Scratch, long story short I didn't get to see the live feed because due to day light savings it was 2 hours earlier than I expected, and no way I would get up at 5am anyway lol.  But ... I decided to watch the video of the stream and on it she made a cute box, up sizing a box she had previously featured in a tutorial - not sure of the name of it but it has a feature I really like (more on that later).  So I decided to give it a go, but went back to her original video of a smaller version.  From there I just went in a direction that encompassed both of the challenges, so ... here is my take on the Crazy 4 Challenges Vintage/Shabby Chic, and the Our Creative Corner 3D project with a Valentine Theme.  I have also entered it as my second entry into the Hand Stamped Sentiments add Hearts Challenge.

I started out with Blushing Bride cardstock, and then because I didn't have any DSP that was really "vintage" I stamped the branch of flowers from Elements of Style onto some Very Vanilla cardstock in Basic Gray, water colouring with Blushing Bride and Certainly Celery (a colour that I haven't used in quite some time).  I decided it needed another layer to make it stand out, and remembering why Kasey, my upline had said about Champagne Shimmer Mist on gray I decided a layer of that would frame my "dsp" nicely. 

I also wanted to add one of the pieces from my recently acquired Hodge Podge Hardware, so chose a sentiment that would fit inside one of these and added it to the top of my box.  The only thing left to do was add some hearts of course!  I had made the "clasp" for the box out of a 1/2" circle, but replaced it with a heart to keep with the theme, and it just looked so cute.  Then added some Blushing Bride and Basic Gray Hearts to the top of the box - Spritzed with Shimmer Most and punched out with my Heart Punch of course - and the project was finished.

Now the feature I love about this box ... if you don't adhere all the corners down it will lie flat!  How good is that if you want to send it in the post to someone special.  This is such a cute little box, I can see it filled with hand stamped mini cards, or a piece of jewelry, those nice coffee bags, or even some chocolates. Such a nice way to package a little gift for someone at Valentine's or any time.

Thanks for visiting my blog. 

Second Card of the Day

Today I wanted to do a couple of challenges, and I have been trying to make one card fit more than one challenge! When I saw the Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge, the Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge to do a Valentine's card with no red or pink, and the Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge to add Hearts, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. 

I was so happy with the way this card worked out.  It was my first time using my Crop-A-Dial that I got for Christmas, wow let me just say this tool makes applying these eyelets an absolute breeze.  I also love the way it punches holes through very thick things like a hot knife through butter.

I used Rich Razzleberry where you might more traditionally use red.  I also have just recently picked up the Heart Sweet Treat Cups and just had to include one in this project.  I used VersaMark and Gold Embossing Powder on one side of some Basic Black and Rich Razzleberry cardstock then used my small heart punch to punch them out.  I also put a layer of Champing Shimmer Mist on the back of each of the hearts (note to self - next time do this before punching out lol).  I put some Champagne Shimmer Mist on the layer of Rich Razzleberry on the main card as well, you can probably see better if you zoom in on the picture. I finished off with some Basic Black ribbon and used the Pinking Hearts Border Punch along the bottom edge.

My Mojo Is Back

For a while there I had lost my mojo, what with Christmas rush, working full time and life in general I had lost my mojo.  But thankfully it's back, and back with a passion.  I have done a couple of projects in the last couple of days, one I can't share just yet because it's a birthday gift for my fellow demo and blog buddy Steph.  But a couple I can share.

First one is a double challenge entry  Inskpiration Sketch Challenge, and Friday Mash Up Colour Challenge. 

This one I kept very simple, leaving it the same as the sketch rather than branching out.  I also want to try and use more DSP on my cards, I have a tendency to hoard the "pretty paper" and not use it because if I use it I won't have it for another project - how crazy is that!  So you are likely to see more DSP on my cards from here on in ... and if I slip and stop using please remind me!

This one I wanted to use one of the new Sale-A-Bration stamp sets, Punch Bunch.  I love this set of stamps as they all go with a Stampin' Up! punch so no need to cut out.  For this one I have used the stamp that goes with the scallop circle, I have used Stampin' Write Markers to colour the stamp, stamped it on Very Vanilla Cardstock and then punched out with the 1 3/8" Circle Punch.  A neat trick is then to adhere this circle to your cardstock and then punch out using the Scallop Circle - it's far easier to get it centred that way!

Pop back later for my second creation ... a valentine's card with no red or pink!

Free Stamp Sets!!!

Are you ready for some free stamps???  Well it's Sale-A-Bration time, and what that means is that for every $100 you spend on any of the wide range of Stampin' Up! products in either the current Idea Book & Catalogue OR the current Mini Catalogue, you get to choose a free stamp set from the Sale-A-Bration catalogue.  There are four beautiful stamp sets to choose from, there is something for everyone.  These are only offered during Sale-A-Bration which lasts from now until 31st March.  Here are the four sets that are on offer ...

I have to say I love the Punch Bunch as I am a fan of not cutting out!  The vintage look of the Bliss set, and the versatility of the stamps makes it high on my wish list also.  In all honesty I really like all four sets this year. The great thing about Sale-A-Bration is that there is no limit to the number of sets you can earn!!!  You will get 1 set free for every $100, so if you fall in love with 2 sets then just spend $200 and they are all yours.  

There are some other benefits in the Sale-A-Bration period. 

• Firstly if you host a workshop with combined sales of over $600 you will get an extra Sale-A-Bration stamp set for free in addition to the other benefits you would normally receive.  So book a workshop today and I can tailor the demonstrations around these sets if you like.
• Secondly if you have considered joining Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator then Sale-A-Bration is the time to do it, as you get to pick an additional stamp set  to the value of $79.95 from the current Idea Book and Catalogue absolutely free!  

No wonder it's called Sale-A-Bration!

January moving fast

I thought I would just pop a quick note in to let everyone know that I am still about,  but have been very busy with work this month. I have had the opportunity to do some higher duties work and that also meant an increase in hours, so little time left for crafting, and the item I did make I gave away before I took a picture!!!  I know where it is so will post when I remember to take my camera and get photo.

The good news is, that now I am on holiday for 3 weeks, yep 3 beautiful weeks, and I am hoping to get lots of creating done. I have been doing a bit of blog surfing and have a few projects in mind so check back in over the next few weeks and check them out.

Valentine Promotion

With Christmas behind us and a New Year just starting, it's time to think about up-coming events.  The next one on the horizon is Valentine's Day, and while it's not as "big" here as it is in some other parts of the world, its a nice time to let someone know you are thinking of them.  Stampin' Up! have a great promotion that lets you do that in such a cute way, and that is the Sweethearts Promotion.

There are three ways to take advantage of this promotion

1. If you purchase either the Sweetheart Stamp Set you get a set of Heart Treat Cups for free. 
2. If you purchase the Full Heart Punch you get a set of Heart Treat Cups for free.
3. And best of all, if you purchase the stamp set and the punch you get 2 sets of Heart Treat Cups absolutely free!

This stamp set and punch are designed to work together, and with the addition of the Treat Cups they let you make really cute projects, not just for Valentine's Day, but anytime you want to send someone a little something to let them know they are on your mind.

Follow the link on the side of my blog and it will take you to the flyer for the promotion with all the details, it also has two projects using these products. 

This promotion is available from now until 24th January so contact me soon if you would like to place an order.