Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous Ann to host this week and she has my favourite, a sketch challenge for you to work with:

So many options for today's sketch! The weather is slowly warming up as Spring approaches and whilst we may not be experiencing beach vacations for some time to come still, I decided to break out my Sand and Sea Suite and recreate that feeling with a card or two instead. So this is the first card I came up with:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Sand and Sea - So much to love about the Sand & Sea Suite! One of the most unique aspects is the way that the dies contain a whole joined sheet of shells and sea fronds that can be both stamped and embossed then either used as a single piece or the individual pieces can be cut away as I've done on my card. I stamped, embossed and diecut the panel in both pink, yellow and pearlescent cardstock and mixed the various elements on my card, with that large, pink circular shell as the centrepiece. I gave it a pearlescent finish by sponging with frost white shimmer paint before adding to my card - just check out the amazing texture and detail:

I added some pearls and braided trim to finish. This stamp really does have the most lovely sentiments too; one the front of my card I used the one that forms the basis of the name for this stamp set - here's a peek at the inside of my card with the second part of my greeting:

This card is headed to one of my oldest and most dear friends for her birthday - I know she will love it! I'm also linking it up with the team over at Time Out Challenges, who are also celebrating their 7th birthday this week and challenging us to make birthday cards too - way to go Time Out!

A Pearlescent Alternative - I had another piece of the Sand & Sea DSP left after making the above card, so I decided to flip it and make another card using the reverse pattern, with the same layout but changing out some of the elements and colours and going for a slightly softer look:

I actually had something of a happy accident with this pearlescent shell. I had intended to simply emboss it, but having embossed the pink shell on the card above first, I hadn't realised that some of the pink ink had rubbed off onto the embossing folder so when I removed my pearly shell from the embossing folder, it had traces of pink ink on the indents. I wiped some of it away but then decided to go with it and instead rubbed the raised areas with Blushing Bride ink to accentuate them. I decided I actually quite liked the detail so no harm done - what do you think?

So which of these cards do you prefer? This one: 

Or this one:

Do leave me a comment below - I'd love to hear your thoughts. I am using this suite for my next monthly online stamp class and am looking forward to creating more fabulous cards with it - get in touch if you'd like more information.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's main project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your day; the weather has been unseasonally mild here this week, so I will be spending some time in the garden today and probably heading out on my bike for a long cycle ride with the other members of the James household to take advantage of the warmer temparatures in case winter decides to make a return! I will also be placing my last Sale-A-Bration order as the current Sale-A-Bration promotion ends today - last call for orders if you would like to earn one of the amazing free gifts that are available as part of the promotion. I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

FRIENDS ARE LIKE SEASHELLS BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (£50.25)	SEASHELLS 3D EMBOSSING FOLDER (£8.25)	SAND & SEA 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£10.75)	TASTEFUL LABELS DIES (£29.00)	SEASIDE SHELLS (£5.50)
PEARLESCENT SPECIALTY PAPER (£3.75)	BLUSHING BRIDE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.25)	MELON MAMBO A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.25)	SO SAFFRON A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.25)	FLIRTY FLAMINGO A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.25)
VERSAMARK PAD (£8.75)	WHITE STAMPIN’ EMBOSS POWDER (£5.50)	3/16" (4.8 MM) BRAIDED LINEN TRIM (£6.50)	BLUSHING BRIDE 3/8" (1 CM) METALLIC RIBBON (£5.50)	MELON MAMBO CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)
FLIRTY FLAMINGO CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)	DAFFODIL DELIGHT CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)	VELLUM A4 CARDSTOCK (£9.25)	BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (£9.00)	PEARL BASIC JEWELS (£4.75)
FROST WHITE SHIMMER PAINT (£7.50)

It's Thursday and time for a new challenge over at TicTacToe! It's the turn of Team X to host this week and the lovely Betty is our featured designer this week. This is the fun board that we are playing along with: 

I went down the first column with thinking of you/stitching/flowers for my card today, that also makes the most of one of the Sale-A-Bration freebies that can still be yours for a few more days so is perfect to play along with the team over at TGIF Challenges too - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Flower and Field - Although I didn't eventually choose it, I was considering 'shades of green' as one of my board options and I immediately thought of this paper in the Flower and Field Sale-A-Bration DSP pack as it makes such a beautiful use of Just Jade as its background colour. I decided to use this paper anyway as it's so pretty and the green, pink and yellow combo give me three colours to play with the peeps over at Paper Craft Crew this week too! It's also a great reminder that there are just 3 days to go until the end of the current Sale-A-Bration promotion. If you are a regular Stampin' Up! customer, don't be caught out - the current promotion ends a whole month earlier than it has in previous years. That's no bad thing, as it means we will get a second Sale-A-Bration promotion later in the year, but if you still have things on your current SAB wishlist, you need to earn them whilst you still can!

Thinking of You - The sentiment I chose for my card today comes from the 'Happy Thoughts' stamp set, inspired by the Million Sales Achiever Jackie Bolhuis. This is a sentiment-only set, designed with beginner crafters in mind. It has great basic sentiments for every occasion, along with some longer ones that work perfectly as a feature or on the insdie of a card. What's more, this set was designed to co-ordinate with a number of our basic punches, so is really versatile and a great way to build on a beginner's collection of basic items. 

Pierced Blooms - I added a few Pierced Blooms to decorate my card - another long-awaited addition to my collection - although as I went to finishe my card with some black enamel dots on those itty bitty pink flowers I realised ... yes, I've run out! So use your imagination as I go off to order more of these craft room staples!

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

A tictactoe board offers so many creative possibilities - how does this week's board inspire you? Why not have a go? We would love to see you in the gallery and who knows - you might be selected for Designer's Choice and be eligible to be a guest designer on a future challenge. 

Enjoy your day; I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

PIERCED BLOOMS DIES (£34.00)	HAPPY THOUGHTS CLING STAMP SET (£20.00)	FLOWER & FIELD 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£0.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (£9.00)	BASIC BLACK A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.25)
JUST JADE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.25)	BUMBLEBEE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.25)	FLIRTY FLAMINGO A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.25)	STITCHED SO SWEETLY DIES (£30.00)	TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (£5.50)
MATTE BLACK DOTS (£6.50)	FLOWERS FOR EVERY SEASON RIBBON COMBO PACK (£9.25)

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. This week's challenge is a sketch challenge and Julie has asked that we use the following layout:

Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch when making your card. For my card today I am excited to use a new stamp set that I've been waiting for an age to arrive - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Hey Birthday Chick - Remember the 'Hey Chick' stamp set that was a Sale-A-Bration stamp set in 2017? Well, you may have noticed a set in the current mini catalogue called 'Hey Birthday Chick' featuring the same group of feathered friends, this time all ready to celebrate a birthday, complete with cake, balloon and party hat! I used that crazy chicken with the mad hair on my card today, featuring both the old one from the 'Hey Chick' set and the one with the birthday cake from the 'Hey Birthday Chick' set. 

Chick and Birthday Chick Dies Exclusive - Not only are there the two chick stamps available, they are also available as part of exclusive bundles that will be available until 30 June. In addition to some great standalone dies, such as a fence, hen house, eggs, corn and a trellis, to name but a few, there are also dies to make cutting out any of the chicken shapes with ease. I used them to cut out one of my chickens to add a little dimension to my pair:

I am doing very well at meeting the CAS brief this week even if I say so myself, although I did take a small liberty with the sketch since my shapes are not identical. They would have been, but the temptation of the cupcake proved too much for chicken number one!!

Playing With Patterns - The colours for the rainbow colouring on my card today comes from the Playing With Patterns designer paper (Blends colours detailed below). Those subtle stripes were just enough to add interest to the base of my card. 

My rainbow stripes and funky rainbow-feathered chicks are perfect for the colour theme of 'rainbow colours' over at Just Us Girls this week and I'm also playing along with my gal pals over at TicTacToe where Team O are in charge this week and I went down the first column of Jeanne's board with Cute Critter/Celebrate/Coloured. 

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your day; the sun is shining here so since one of the James Juniors is officially on a Games lesson this afternoon, it looks like I am going to have company for a nice long walk. Following yesterday's announcement, we are officially on a two-week countdown to a return to school, so I think I need to make the most of it! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

HEY CHICK BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (£41.25)	HEY CHICK CLING STAMP SET (ENGLISH) (£16.00)	CHICK DIES (£30.00)	HEY BIRTHDAY CHICK BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (£40.50)	HEY BIRTHDAY CHICK CLING STAMP SET (£20.00)
BIRTHDAY CHICK DIES (ENGLISH) (£25.00)	PLAYING WITH PATTERNS 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£10.75)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£7.75)	RECTANGLE STITCHED DIES (£33.00)	TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (£5.50)
NIGHT OF NAVY CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)	PURPLE POSY STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (£8.50)	NIGHT OF NAVY STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (£8.50)	BERMUDA BAY STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (£8.50)	POOL PARTY STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (£8.50)
MANGO MELODY STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (£8.50)	CALYPSO CORAL STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (£8.50)

Happy Monday everyone! Today I'm sharing a card inspired by that fabulous photo over at Fusion and using this week's Freshly Made Sketches sketch by Amy:

I adore that rainbow unicorn outfit in the inspiration photo - what would be princess wouldn't like to dress up in that?! I had been contemplating Amy's panelled sketch and decided that I could combine the two to create the sparkly card of my dreams. If you're not a fan of the the glimmer and glitter, then you should look away now, as this card has it in spades! Ok, you have been warned!! This is what I came up with - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

When Is A Hippo Not A Hippo? - When is a hippo not a hippo? Well, when it's a unicorn of course! My unicorn comes from the Hippo Happiness bundle, which in addition to the hippo, a butterfly, a sheep and a horse, there is of course a unicorn! I stamped mine in Smoky Slate with the second step stamp heat embosssed in silver, and gave her a gold sparkly unicorn horn. I think one of the things I love most about this stamp set is the sentiment I used on today's card - words to live by, right?! You can see the detail on my unicorn a little better below: 

Rainbow Glimmer - Having decided on a silver unicorn, I went all out to create my background panel from a complete piece of rainbow glimmer paper, spreading in colour from deep purple, through to pink, orange and yellow. I haven't used this for a while and was having definite withdrawal symptoms! I decided to leave my central clouds as one piece across the centre of my card; I tried it split with the rectangle, but preferred it as one piece. This also worked better for my sentiment, which sits nicely on the cloud.

Stitched Stars - Not satisfied with my rainbow glimmer alone, I decided to add a swirl of (retired) silver glimmer stars from the Stitched Stars die to the edge of my cloud to back my unicorn. I love this die and it's probably my most used in this set.

So what do you think - too much glimmer? I have to say I love it and I know a certain Miss James Junior who will love it too, teenager or not!! I spent the morning with a lovely bunch of my customers having our first proper online class of the year featuring florals and the Art Gallery bundle - a world away from all of this sparkle, although we did have a little play with gilded leafing - an altogether messier affair, albeit with very pretty results!

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy the rest of your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project for this week's new sketch challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

HIPPO HAPPINESS BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (£45.00)	RECTANGLE STITCHED DIES (£33.00)	STITCHED STARS DIES (£35.00)	BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£7.75)	RAINBOW GLIMMER PAPER (£5.50)
SMOKY SLATE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)	BLACKBERRY BLISS CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)	SILVER STAMPIN’ EMBOSS POWDER (£5.50)	VERSAMARK PAD (£8.75)

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous LeAnne to host this week and she has a fun clean-and-simple challenge for you to work with:

Fabulous felines - what a fun challenge this week! I used the sketch over at Fusion (come back tomorrow if you'd like to see a card that uses the Fusion photo inspiration too) to make a clean and simple birthday card - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Today's card is super simple! I've been wanting to make a card using this cat that features on the Playful Pets designer series paper for ages - I just love her quirky expression! - and our challenge this week was the perfect opportunity. I cut a strip of (retired) Brights DSP in a two-tone stripe that picks up the pink of the cat's neck bow, and a suitably tongue-in-cheek sentiment from Itty-Bitty Birthdays that seemed to reflect just what my fussy-cut kitty was thinking, and placed the various pieces onto my card. A quick check to our clean and simple guidelines:

I finished my sentiment on the inside of my card and added a mouse that I fussy cut from my DSP sheet too:

Since this is a birthday card, I'll be linking up over at The Spot today too where they have a birthday theme.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your day; I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

to follow

Today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where it's time for an interesting 'fill in the blank' challenge:

The colour that makes me feel cosy? Hmm, well for me this is closely associated with my chosen theme today: chocolate! I love chocolate of all kinds and am particularly partial to a good quality milk or 70% dark, and there is something about the silky sensation when a square of chocolate melts on the tongue that leaves me feeling warm and cosy inside - or indulged, but either way I'll take it! So my colour today is brown and I decided to pair it with this week's challenge over at Inspired By where they are asking us to feature a quote on our card (I also used their sketch layout this week) - take a look:

 Here's the low-down on today's card:

Nothing's Better Than - The choclates in the 'Nothing's Better Than' stamp set were perfect for my card today. I used some retired cardstock in Chocolate Chip for my cardbase and stamped the outline chocolate stamp all over for a tone-on-tone background. I also stamped a couple of these chocolate trios on some Very Vanilla in Chocolate Chip and outlined in Early Espresso, then trimmed one chocolate from each, and used them to decorate my quote panel.  

Love You More Than - My quotation is made up from a combination of stamps in the 'Nothing's More Than' stamp set and a stacked diecut of the word 'chocolate' for a little added emphasis. I diecut it 3 times and glue them together for added dimension:

I love how this is an 'unfinished' quotation - this really is so me, I mean a day without chocolate?! Something I don't ever like to contemplate!

Chocolate Box Memories - I decided to use a stitched scallop rectangle as the base for my quotation - the shape reminded me of the almost velvet-like top sheet that used to sit in chocolate boxes in years gone by - do you know the ones I mean? I also chose to use Very Vanilla as opposed to Basic White, as a nod to white chocolate, which is more cream than white in colour.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

 to follow.

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Here's a summary of our challenge rules:

• Create any card, scrapbooking page, 3D project or packaging project that fits the challenge.
• Please include the challenge graphic and link back to the challenge in your blog post. Turn off word verification so we can leave you lots of lovely comments. Make sure you link the post not the whole blog to the Linky. Use #AYSIXXX when uploading to a public gallery.
• If you’re unsure about ‘the rules’, check the details under the Challenge Guidelines tab on the As You See It Challenge homepage.
• In a Fill in the Blank challenge, complete the sentence in the Challenge Banner with the phrase that is true for you and create your project using the words you used. Tell us what you said in your blog or on your site.

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

I've had a few card- and blog-free days as I enjoy time with the James Juniors who are on half-term this week. There has been lots of cooking, walking and cycling and crafting of a different kind (I'll share more about that in a few days time!) I did get a few cards made today though, including this one for the current challenge over at Less Is More:

These kings and queens of CAS are celebrating their 10th birthday with chocolate so as a self-confessed chocolate lover myself, I thought it would be rude not to partake in a little celebration with them! I channelled my clean and simple self and came up with the following #SimpleStamping card using just stamps, ink and paper:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

A simple base of Very Vanilla, with a border of Early Espresso and some (retired) Chocolate Chip chocolates, with the outline detailing and the 'chocolate' word in my sentiment stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with some (retired) Early Espresso embossing powder for an additional touch of shine and texture:

I finished my greeting on the inside of my card like this and with a few more chocolates:

I'm sure, like me, that there are days when you feel like this too!

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

 to follow

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

I'm also linking today's card with a new-to-me challenge called The Dream Factory, which uses films as the starting point to inspire our crafty creations - and this month's film is appropriately 'Chocolat'.

Enjoy your evening; I'll be back tomorrow with another project also featuring chocolate - so if you are watching your waistline and would like to indulge in chocolate without the calories, do join me then. Until tomorrow, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. Julie is hosting this month and this week we have a colour challenge: 

The colour palette gave me the perfect reason to break out 'Darling Donkeys' again, which is also perfect to link up with the challenge over at Global Design Project #GDP279 where their theme this week is 'animal' - and mine is ready to party! Take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Darling Donkeys - I couldn't resist these sweet little donkeys again for my card, today featuring the frolicking donkey on the front of my card, rather than the sweet seated one that I've used on all my previous cards, although I did add one of those to the inside:

Kick Up Your Heels - I thought this donkey would be perfect for a birthday card, and his happy demeanour reminded me of the zebras in the 'Zaony Zebras' stamp set. So I borrowed a sentiment that seemed equally appropriate for a party-going donkey as a fun-loving zebra, along with a party hat, and got my donkey ready to celebrate!

Circles, Circles - I was really pleased with how I met the 'clean and simple' brief this week - lots of white space, minimal layers and patterns and one main focal point. I did use a circle shape to tie my design together: the stitched circle background for my donkey, the circular pattern on my strips of designer paper and the polka dots on his party hat. A subtle detail but a clever way to create harmony in my CAS design:

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

As a reminder, for our colour challenges, you must use all of the stated challenge colours. You may also use neutral colours; however, the challenge colours should be the most noticeable ones featured on your card. We use Stampin' Up! color names for reference, but you are welcome to use any other companies' products as long as you match the challenge colours as closely as possible.

The James Juniors are on half term this week so in an effot to keep them off their screens and give them a proper break from home schooling, I am being a very hands-on parent this week. So not much crafting from me, unless they are in tow! Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

DARLING DONKEYS CLING STAMP SET (£0.00)	ZANY ZEBRAS CLING STAMP SET (£18.00)	STITCHED SHAPES DIES (£28.00)	2020–2022 IN COLOR 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£10.75)	BRIGHTS 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£10.75)
TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (£5.50)	FLIRTY FLAMNGO STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (£8.50)	MISTY MOONLIGHT STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (£8.50)	GRAY GRANITE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (£8.50)	BRONZE & IVORY STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (£8.50)
BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£7.75)

Today it's Sunday and time for this week's new challenge over at The Paper Players! It's the turn of the fabulous Jaydee to host this week and she has a timely colour challenge for you to work with:

I chose red and silver to pair with black and white for my card and since today is Valentine's Day I was also inspired by the glittery hearts in our challenge photo this week to create something using the Fab Friday sketch that also meets the clean and simple 'hearts' code word over at Addicted to CAS - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

All Heart - I decided that the Fab Friday sketch panel was perfect to showcase the Detailed Hearts Dies in the annual catalogue. When I went to my dieset I discovered I had one already cut in retired red glimmer paper, as I'd used the heart pieces on a previous project, so rather than cut another in Real Red I thought I would use this one for a sparkly centrepiece.

Love Always - For my focal point I decided to add a layered 'love' diecut using my Always Dies, with a black base and silver foil centre - I just love these dies and it's nice to pair them with an older die for a fresh look. I also added another touch of silver by adding a heart charm to one of the solid hearts on my glimmer paper:

I've been looking for an opportunity to use these on a project and finally today's card provided the perfect opportunity, as the two shapes mirrored each other perfectly. 

And Forever - I finished the sentiment on the ffront of my card by stamping with the 'Forever & Always' stamp set and carried this over to the inside of my card too, and added a few more of those glittery hearts for a simple decoration:

This is one of those cards that whilst it is all love and red hearts, it doesn't have to be a Valentine's card. I will be sending mine to a certain young lady in my house who is something of a magpie as far as glitter is concerned and I know she will love it!

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my Product and 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Before you reach for your ink and papers, check out what our amazing team has created to inspire you this week:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your day; are you doing anything special to celebrate Valentine's Day? We had a family Valentine's dinner yesterday evening and will be sharing a special breakfast today, along with a rather elaborate choolate fondue this evening. So it's all about the food in the James household! I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

DETAILED HEARTS DIES (£27.00)	FOREVER AND ALWAYS BUNDLE (£43.00)	HEART CHARMS (£7.00)	SILVER FOIL SHEETS (£4.75)	BASIC BLACK A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.25)
BASIC WHITE A4 THICK CARDSTOCK (£7.75)	TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (£5.50)

It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at CAS Colours & Sketches. This week's challenge is a sketch challenge and Julie has asked that we use the following layout:

Feel free to flip or rotate the sketch when making your card. For my card today I chose to use two of my favourite Sale-A-Bration free gifts - take a look:

Here's the low-down on today's card:

Darling Donkey - Yes, the sweet donkey is here, this time bearing gifts, or more specifically the gift of love with a single red rose - how romantic! Is there anything cuter than a donkey at Valentine's, I wonder?! With only another 5 days to go until the day itself, I thought I would take the opportunity to make another card for one of my loved ones. I'm also linking up with the ladies over at Just Us Girls again as 'Valentine' is their word of the week.

Oh So Ombre - I backed my oval with a panel of patterned Oh So Ombre paper - another Sale-A-Bration freebie that I can't get enough of! My card today is uncluttered and clean, although the reduction in white space does leave me sailing close to the wind as far as our challenge CAS rules are concerned. So if you are reading this and considering playing along, you have been warned! 

Still Time To Sale-A-Brate - If either of the above products are on your wish list, you still have another 3 weeks to go before the current Sale-A-Braiton promotion ends. That is a month earlier than usual though, so bear this in mind and be sure to place your order in good time. Links to the online store are included below or get in touch if you would like me to place your order for you.

Here is the visual summary of the key products used on today's project for you to pin for easy reference:

You can see all of my 'How To' summaries on my 'How To - Tips and Techniques' Pinterest board in case you've missed any. 

Enjoy your day; I'm hoping to complete the second room on my current house decorating quest, so that I can spend the rest of the week getting up straight and having a good tidy up. Why is it that the minute I start decorating anywhere, the rest of the house seems to descend into disorganised chaos?! Does that happen in your house too? I'll be back tomorrow with another project. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

STITCHED SHAPES DIES (£28.00)	DARLING DONKEYS CLING STAMP SET (£0.00)	OH SO OMBRE 6" X 6" (15.2 X 15.2 CM) DESIGNER SERIES PAPER (£0.00)	TUXEDO BLACK MEMENTO INK PAD (£5.50)	BASIC WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (£9.00)
BERMUDA BAY A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.25)	SMOKEY SLATE STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (£8.50)	BRONZE & IVORY STAMPIN' BLENDS COMBO PACK (£8.50)	BASIC BLACK A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.25)	VERSAMARK PAD (£8.75)
WHITE STAMPIN’ EMBOSS POWDER (£5.50)