Banner Blast Love

After being over-enthusiastic after my previous Valentine crafting projects were finished and showing them to my Husband I was back to the crafting table to make another card so I could have one to surprise him with this morning.  

It is a Banner Blast card made with the absolutely gorgeous cute Banner Blast stamp set and matching punch from the current Sale-a-Bration brochure.  This stamp set is available free with a £45 spend and so too is the punch if you spend again.  The stamps are perfect for my linen line along the Woodgrain panels of the card.  My Woodgrain is the background stamp (128763) from the annual catalogue, but don't forget there is the lovely new Hardwood stamp (133032) in the new Spring/Summer catalogue too.

I cut my card to be 12cm x 20cm when folded.  I found if I marked at the 5cm, 10cm and the 15cm lines I could get the diagonals evenly spaced on the 20cm card.  My panels are extra layers of card, stamped with the woodgrain and then daubed a little for some rustic wood colouring.  They are attached with dimensionals to lift them a little off the background card too.

The Chalk Talk label die cut on the front of the card has my 'You&Me' stamp again from the Perfect Pennants to match the secret chocolate box I showed yesterday.  I used some small hearts I had pre-punched with the Small Heart Punch in glimmer paper and Real Red card to add some detail and some sparkly rhinestones.

Inside there are some more hearts and sparkles too, along with a space to write a special message.

I loved playing with my itsy-bitsy Banner kit and I know this is going to be a fast favourite in my collection.  Remember, this is one of the free sets from the Sale-a-Bration period so if you fancy a few friends round for some crafting, or it's time for a treat for yourself, these great products are available until the end of March.

I hope you have a lovely Valentine's and get thoroughly spoiled

Suzanne

x

To place an order, book a workshop in your home or come to a class, just drop me an email at craftyinkbuds@sky.com. Remember you can now order online at anytime too.

Valentine Sweet Heart Suprises

I was invited to a fabulous crafting Fun Day with my fellow Stampin' Up team members last weekend and was set the task of making something to 'show-and-tell'.  Now, what a panic that set, making something fabulous enough to share with all those experienced crafters!

After a little calming down and reassurance from my wonderful upline Amanda Fowler I decided I would make the Secret Box which I had been eyeing up for some time.  Hopefully it would wow the crowd, but also I could put one of my favourite things in it, Chocolate, for a Valentine's gift!

It is fantastic.  A Box that opens up to reveal three trays to fill with goodies.  The main sections are made from A4 card so no need for 12"x12" cardstock for this one either.

Chocolate, mini soaps, mini chocolate eggs for Easter, the ideas are endless! 

To make the box I was following a tutorial on Split Coast Stampers from Heather Perraux.  The measurements and template are all there on the tutorial along with step-by-step videos on how to put it together.  

I followed the template guide with my Simply Scored Tool and used the additional Diagonal Plate to create the diagonal lines to easily follow where to cut for the main two outer pieces for the box.  For a project like this where you have a template and measurements, the Simply Scored tool just makes it so much easier and quicker to complete.

Tip:  Make sure if you are flipping you card round to make the diagonals on your card that they are going the correct way!  I found the diagram easist to follow on the tutorial for the scoring and folding and the video easiest for the sticking and finishing.

I used the My Digital Studio Love Letters designer papers layered on Smoky Slate and Very Vanilla cardstock for my decorative background.  The sentiments on the Circles (using the Circles Framelits Collection) were from the 'Perfect Pennants' stamp set available in the Spring/Summer Catalogue.

I love the 'You & Me' for a Valentines theme and also I have inked and cut the 'Life Doesn't Have To Be Perfect To Be Wonderful' to split it across the 3 tray fronts inside.  This stamp set is available as a Digital Download Stamp Brush Set so if you love the project is not too late to recreate it for yourself. Just download your stamp set and background papers and get folding and sticking - go on, give it a go!

For more details and to purchase either the tools or products I used you can follow the links to them here

Simply Scored 122334

Simply Scored Diagonal Plate 125586

Circles Collection Framelits Dies 130911

Perfect Pennants Brush Set - Digital Download 137042

Love Letter Designer Series Paper - Digital Download 124012

Of course, a gift, needs a card to go with it. Well here is a Valentine Pop-up suprise card to match. The dimensions mean that this card folds flat to allow it to fit into a C6 envelope if you need to post or send your valentine's messages.

I have just used the Large Heart Punch and Small Heart Punch for decoration and the colours are Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Shimmery White and Glimmer Paper.  The background paper too is First Edition Speciality Paper which is still available as a digital download.  The sentiment on the Decorative Label Punch is from the Delightful Dozen stamp set.  There are lots of templates and tutuorials for these pop up cards online and they are so so easy.  Once you have made one, you will want to make more trust me.  A hint that there are some more to come......

To place an order, book a workshop in your home or come to a class, just drop me an email at craftyinkbuds@sky.com. Remember you can now order online at anytime too.