plus one

I have a piece of rather exciting news, last week I got my first downline member! I'm just a tad excited! I remember how exciting a time it was when I joined the Stampin' Up! family as a demo and how sweet Rhoda was to send me buttons and rhinestones to help me along. So, with my first downline member, I felt it only natural to share that same joy in giving! Its great to give, it always makes me feel so happy to see someone getting joy out of something you have done or given to them. So, as a thank you and a welcome for joining the Stampin' Up! family I made a little gift for Sue.

Butterfly Box

Stamp Set: Punch Potpourri (Hostess Only)

Ink: Marina Mist, Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, Elegant Eggplant

Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry Texture, Garden Green, Crumb Cake

DSP: Rose Red, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi 

Punches: Butterfly, Boho Blossoms, Two Step Bird

Accessories: Rhinestones, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds

Extras: Sticky Strip, Tombo Multi Glue

I bought this little paper mache box very cheaply and decorated it with strips of dsp. I punched out a variety of colours using the Boho Blossoms punch and layered them on top of one another adding a rhinestone to the centre and a few branches from the two step bird punch! For the butterflies I got inspiration from a video on Michelle Last's blog, click here to see her lovely little video! I changed it slightly as I couldn't really find a flower stamp in my collection that was suitable. I originally intended on curling the edge of the butterflies but after trying one decided it just didn't look good! So basically I did the rock and roll technique, punched out the butterflies and covered then with crystal effects and finished them off with a dusting of dazzling diamonds glitter and some rhinestones. when they were dry I bent up the wings, and adhered them in the centre of the lid as if they are sitting on the flowers. The box was just the perfect size for the small box of flower brads that I bought for Sue to help her get going with crafting! When she saw the box she was stunned and when she heard the rattled she was shocked that there was a little something inside. I love seeing people's excited reactions to gifts, especially when they aren't expecting them! 

I hope you liked today's little share. Come back tomorrow to see the little card I made to welcome Sue into my team. 

Hugs, 

Amanda xx

simply stampin' challenge, week 3

This week's Simply Stampin' Challenge is a themed challenge. And I was very excited to see that it was an Easter theme! Any excuse to decorate the house...and I'm there! I remember as a kid my mum, brother and I would decorate eggs with food colouring and wax resist. So when I was thinking about this challenge I considered trying something similar...for old time's sake with re-inkers. However at the moment I only have Marina Mist and lets face it, one colour can only go so far...so that idea is on the back burner 'till next year when hopefully I'll have more re-inkers! 


The project I did this week was inspired from an idea that was shared at the Stampin' Up! training day I attended last month, and here it is...

Easter Tree

Stamp Set: N/A

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Pink Pirouette

DSP: Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Pink Pirouette, Marina Mist, Perfect Plum 

Accessories: Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Whisper White Satin Ribbon

Extras: Eyelets, Crop-a-dile, Corner Chomper, Crimper, Sticky Strip

Other: Chocolate Eggs, Chick Marshmallows, Flower Pot, Stones, Twigs

A bit different to what I normally do hey? I thought Id make a "Easter Tree".  On It are hung lots of little boxes which I made (so simple to do and really cute) and decorated with some Brights Collection DSP. Inside each box are little treats, tiny foil wrapped chocolate eggs and marshmallows. I shredded some carstock and crimped it to add inside the box to pad out the treats and make them look extra special - like they're sitting in a little nest! Finally I added some satin ribbon bows to the twigs just to fill it out a little more and make it look extra cute! Below are additional close ups of the tree and boxes! 

I intend on giving these little gifts to guests who visit us over the Easter period...a cute little surprise for them! (Anyone who came to my workshop last night got to choose one!) 

Please don't forget to head over to the Simply Stampin' Challenge blog to see what the other lovely talented design team members have created. Also enter your own creation for your chance to win some lovely goodies (for more details, check out the simply stampin challenge blog!).

Until next time, 

Amanda xoxo