This would pass for a monocrome card if it wasn't for the umbrella handle.  I love the wash of tones of Tranquil Tide on this card so that the colour is as much a feature as the image and text.

Tranquil Tide is one of this year's In-Colours and although it took me some time to get used to some of them, I really love them all now.  This would be a super card to make a pack of in each of the colours in that set.  

Which one's your favourite?

Happy crafting,

Fiona 

They say giving is better than receiving and I couldn't agree more.  This advent calendar allows me to enjoy giving because I've made a few up for friends, and it allows them to both receive and give at the same time.  Everyone's a winner!

I am going to follow this post in a few days with a video so if you want to follow along and make this project with me make sure you have signed up to receive my blog notifications and are following me on YouTube (click here).

Inside these bags are 24 envelopes of different shapes and sizes all numbered from 1-24 and tied with a ribbon.


 Inside each envelope is an activity typed up and cut out.  So each day the family or individual who has the calendar bag opens up the envelope for that date in December and completes the activity.  Now here's the fun part, you can make them as fun or onerous as you choose!  But of course, you want them to be able to complete it so make them achievable.



The best thing about this project is that you can make it with whatever papers or decorations you like.

Just use your scraps of DSP (don't make anything less than 3.5" squared or you will end up with envelopes too tiny to do anything with them). 

And finish off with some matching ribbon or twine and something to decorate the front of the bags with.


Your friends and family are going to LOVE these!  I've had so many requests to make them that I had to turn people away because I wouldn't have been able to get them done in time.

For this project you will need (click the links to be taken to the products in my store):

You will need a list of activities to put inside.  I made two lists, one for families and one for individuals.  To help you out I have included my lists below but there are hundreds of things you can add so get creative!

For families:

For individuals:

After a few months away from crafting I am so delighted to be back with the Ink It! Stamp It! Design Team as we showcase all things Christmas for you.


I wanted the intricate snowflake to be the star on my card so I highlighted it by layering it on Dapper Denim, Silver, and Marina Mist.  To get it to sit up off the page I used a squished up glue dot (a dimensional would have been visible) and finished it off with a little rhinestone.

I punched holes using my piercing tool to make a boarder around the Marina Mist layer (I can't wait for SU to bring out a stitched shape framelit that large enough to use as a top layer!) and stamped the sentiment in Craft White and heat embossed it for extra effect.


This stamp set and framelits are available as a bundle and are so versatile they are a must have for your Christmas collection this year.

Blog hop line up:

Here's everything you need to make this card yourself.
Just click on any item to be taken straight to it in my store.

Snowflake Sentiments Clear-Mount Bundle [146053]	Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372]	Whisper White Craft Stampin' Ink Refill [101780]	Dapper Denim A4 Cardstock [141419]
Marina Mist A4 Card Stock [121682]	Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549]	Silver Foil Sheets [132178]	Paper-Piercing Tool [126189]
Stampin' Pierce Mat [126199]	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]

Happy crafting,
Fiona

I know we here in Australia don't get snow at Christmas, but I have spent enough Christmases in the northern hemisphere to harbour a life long association with the festive season and winter. 

Although it's hard to see in this photo because of the lighting, that sentiment is actually stamped in Cherry Cobbler and and clear embossed to make it shine.  I matched up the sequins from the Iridescent Squin pack with different colour inks so that I could give the larger snowflakes a blingy centre.  I also stamped off the snowflakes first so that they weren't so dark and would allow the senitment to be stamped on top and stand out.

Great card for doing in bulk when you are making up a stack of cards for your supplies.

This set also comes with matching dies, yippee skippee!

Here's everything you need to make this card yourself.
Just click on any item to be taken straight to it in my store.
 

Snowflake Sentiments Clear-Mount Stamp Set [144820]	Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock [140490]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad [126966]
Peekaboo Peach Classic Stampin' Pad [141398]	Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad [144086]	Berry Burst Classic Stampin' Pad [144083]	Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad [126982]
Iridescent Sequin Assortment [144212]	Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder [109130]	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430]	Liquid Multipurpose Glue [110755]

Happy crafting,
Fiona,

These cards bring together a few of my favourite things....kids themed cards, watercolour pencils, and popping up die cut images!  And doesn't this set they make a great pack of cards as a bundle?  Perhaps something to give as a gift to someone who has lots of childrens' birthdays to celebrate.

Love this set and I hope you do too!  It comes as a bundle which saves you 10%.  More money for other Stampin' Up! goodies.

Whilst I don't mind fussy cutting, if you are doing a lot of it in one go it starts to get time consuming and tedious (not to mention my hand starts complaining from all the work!).  So I am always grateful when Stampin' Up! produce die cuts to help me whip the shapes through on my Big Shot.

The borders are hand drawn.  What freedom!  Embrace your inner creator and go freestyle for a change.  Go on, if I can do it, so can you!

Why not consider "shadow stamping" your next sentiment?  Doesn't it give such a different look to a card!

Love this set and I hope you do too!  It comes as a bundle which saves you 10%.  More money for other Stampin' Up! goodies.

Just click on any item to be taken straight to it in my store.

Happy crafting,

Fiona,