We have almost completed another round of the Secret Sister swap over on Stampin’ Up in Oz and seeing how my partner has now received all of her items from me and knows that it was me, I can share them with you all now. I will spread them over the next few days with todays post sharing the items I made for her for February.
The conditions of the swap for the first 2 months are to send 2 cards and a small handmade gift with Stampin’ Up product to the value of $4-$8. This is a minimum guideline so of course you can send more if you so wish but not less. The product can be made up of samples of items (ribbons, brads, buttons, etc) rather than full packs so you meet the requirement or a small product. The last month is 2 cards and Stampin’ Up product to the value of $25 presented in some handmade packaging. When we sign up to participate we have to fill out a questionnaire which is then forwarded by the coordinator to our Secret Sister so she has some ideas of things you would like and also some of the Stamp sets, colours and DSP that you like which she may wish to create your items using. This isn’t a must but if I’m able to I like to follow as much of this as possible.
My partner for this round was actually a friend of mine who is also one of my downline so I decided to spoil her a little. In her survey she listed Blueberry Crisp as one of her favourite DSP’s so for her February gifts that’s what I used. She also mentioned that she likes ‘construction’ cards.
The box at the back left was custom made to fit the gifts I was giving her for this month. Inside was the Sale-A-Bration clear mount stamp set ‘Punch Bunch’ along with a Textured Impressions Embossing folder – Elegant Bouquet.
The item on the right is a card and chocolate box in one and is a tutorial from Becky Roberts 12 Days of Christmas 2010. Of course the one in the tutorial is a Christmas theme…..lol. The box part holds 3 Ferrero Rocher chocolates.
The second card I made to complete the requirements for this month was a Never Ending Card to fit the ‘construction’ cards mentioned on my partners questionnaire. I’d never made one of these before, although it was something I wanted to try, and I’m so glad I finally did so.
I used another Sale-A-Bration set on this card and that was the Sweet Summer set. As I’m typing up this post and searching for the pictures, I realise I never took photos of this card before I sent it on. My partner did upload some to the Stampin’ Up in Oz group but unfortunately I can’t enlarge them enough and keep them clear to share with you all.
Pop back tomorrow to see the items I created for the month of March.
This week over at Just Add Ink they have an Inspiration challenge, JAI #63, and here’s what they gave us for the inspiration.
That’s a fun looking photo with lots of bright colour.
The colours I decided to pull from this photo were Daffodil Delight, Certainly Celery, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise and Black.
I decided to layer my colours in a similar fashion to how they appear in the photo and I’ve added a red flower with a yellow centre to resemble the flower petals around their necks.
This card is actually a lot brighter in real life. This photo makes the Daffodil Delight look more like So Saffron but it’s not.
Supplies: Stamp sets: Word Play Card: Daffodil Delight, Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Brights Pattern Stack (Real Red) Ink: Stazon Jet Black Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Crimper, Brights Buttons (Daffodil Delight), Birds & Blooms Sizzlits die, Crochet Thread & needle (non-SU)
I’ve made a few attempt to sit and create over the past few weeks but with no success. My Mojo still hasn’t come back after my ‘family issues’ which is a shame as I was on a roll till everything happened. I’ve printed up some challenges, sat down and looked at them and had no idea what to create. Couldn’t even select a stamp set for a colour combo or a sketch. Instead I’ve been doing lots of reading. I love books but I’m running out of storage space for them all and I really don’t like going to the library and borrowing books. I’d rather own them. So what did I do? I finally converted over and purchased myself a Kindle and I love it. I’ll be purchasing all future books this way unless it’s only available in paper…… I’ve have managed to put it down for a little while though and try and get creating again.
Earlier today I printed up 2 pages of challenges for sites that I like to participate in hoping to get back in the swing of things. I then decided to pull out all my new Autumn/Winter Mini sets as I need to start using these before they aren’t available anymore. I know that sounds odd as they have only just been released but unless my mojo comes back in leaps and bounds I many not get around to using them enough which would be a shame especially if they don’t end up in our next Idea Book & Catalogue 2011|2012 which will be released on 1st September.
I am happy to report that I reached my sales goal for the year. Thanks to those that assisted with an order/s and also to myself for not being restrained enough to control my Autumn/Winter mini pre-order spending….lol. I don’t think there is much I didn’t purchase as it’s all gorgeous, but now need to get out of this creative lull I’ve been in and start using it all. I also want to thanks those demonstrators that shared some great creations online during March that changed my mind about particular sets so therefore helped also. The Autumn/Winter mini starts today and you can view it here. If you’d like a hard copy then email me and I’ll send one off to you.
As you may recall I needed another $1500 in sales to reach my goal. As I received each $100 order I allocated a number from 1 till I reached 15. I was also allocated numbers for my orders. This morning I’ve used Random.org to select the winning number and the results are below.
