Today I'm sharing my design team card for our new challenge over at As you See It where it's time for a recipe challenge:

I thought I'd go simple with my card today, but I reached for some new goodies and by the time I had incorporated all the elements of this week's recipe, I ended up creating something altogether more fancy - take a look:

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

I decided to create a square card with a wreath in the centre as I wanted to play with my new 'Arrange A Wreath' bundle as I am running an online class with it on 27th July so wanted to start getting the ideas flowing. I decided to go with hearts and flowers so that I could incorporate my 'pink' and 'repeating images' elements. I ended up creating a fancy fold style card, with an outer wrap that I added a couple of panels to that I embossed with one of the new 'Greenery' embossing folders, and diecutting a circle in the centre to reveal my wreath on the inner card below. The outer flaps are held closed by some silver twine wrapped around a couple of mini brads, that when untwined open up to reveal the body of the card inside:

This is the layer where I created my wreath, which is a combination of stamped and diecut pieces. Fortunately there is a die in the Wreath Builder Die set that has the word 'love' cut out of a heart, so I used that for my one-word sentiment (check) and added a bow of white spotted tulle ribbon (check!). This card layer then opens as a conventional card to reveal the inside where you can write your greeting:

I added a little tone-on-tone sentiment and the letters that diecut out of the heart on the front, along with a strip of Petal Pink DSP leftover from another project (check!!)

I have no idea what kind of fold this is called - I saw one similar on Pinterest but without any details, and I had a search but am honestly none the wiser! So if it has a name that you know of, do let me know! Either way, it definitely constitutes 'fancy' in my book so I will be linking up with the team over at Just Add Ink where that is their challenge theme this week:

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. 

What do you think? When I'd finished I wondered if I'd got a little carried away, as this card is certainly a little busier than my usual cards. 

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.

We look forward to seeing your creations in the AYSI gallery.

And talking of Just Add Ink - I have some exciting news today! In an hour's time there will be another blog post from me as I am guesting with the lovely Kelly Kent, one of the JAI design team, and her Paper Adventures team on a blog hop so be sure to come back and check it out. Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

ARRANGE A WREATH BUNDLE (ENGLISH) (£49.50)	GREENERY EMBOSSING FOLDERS (£7.50)	WHISPER WHITE 5/8" (1.6 CM) POLKA DOT TULLE RIBBON (£7.00)	PEARL BASIC JEWELS (£4.75)	BRIGHTS 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 CM) CARDSTOCK (£11.75)
MELON MAMBO CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)	PETAL PINK A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.25)	PETAL PINK CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)	SHADED SPRUCE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.25)	SHADED SPRUCE CLASSIC STAMPIN' PAD (£7.00)
JUST JADE A4 CARDSTOCK (£8.25)	WHISPER WHITE A4 CARDSTOCK (£9.00)

Happy Monday everyone! I've had a busy day today with the first of this month's classes. I'll share some of those projects later in the week, but for today I wanted to share a simple little lidded box that I made with my Envelope Punch Board to hold some cute little Valentine's love notes. Now I didn't do the best job of photographing this one - the lid edges get a little lost against the background:

Here's the box with one of the little notelets inside:

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

Sending Love Notes - Way back at Onstage last November we made three little notelets using the Sealed with Love Bundle. I modified mine slightly, cutting down the panels of Sending Love patterned paper and adding each one to a 3 1/2" Whisper White card base. I designed a few more using the other stamps in the set and made a bunch of co-ordinating envelopes and decided to make a little box to keep them all in. 

Love My Envelope Punch Board - Not only did I use my Envelope Punch Board to make my designer series paper envelopes (each made to fit a card of 3 1/2" square and requiring a 6" square piece of paper) but I also used my Box Buster tool to help me design a 4" square lidded box to hold them in. I love making lidded boxes usign the EPB rather than a scoreboard, as it makes them much more sturdy and rigid. It's really easy to do - you just need to make your lid 1/8" larger than your base for a snug fit.

Ribbon and Hearts - I continued the red and white theme of my project by adding a triple loop of Sending Love Ribbon with a double bow to adorn my sassy red Valentine-embossed heart to complete my box embellishment.

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. 

I will be using these little notes to hide in my children's school bags and pencil cases this month; they love to find a surprise note when they least expect it; I might even slip in a little chocolate treat too. I'm also linking up with the team over at SUO Challenges again where they are also celebrating Valentine's this week.

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

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Envelope Punch Board	Love Notes Framelits Dies	Sealed With Love Photopolymer Stamp Set	Sending Love Designer Series Paper Stack	Sending Love Ribbon Combo Pack
Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock	Embossing Buddy	Versamark Pad	Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder	Real Red A4 Cardstock
Sweet & Sassy Framelits Dies	Emerald Envy A4 Cardstock	Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad

A four day blogging break - that has to be the longest in a while! Did you miss me? Last week went by in something of a whirlwind as I was exhibiting at the Great British Craft Show in Stoneleigh Park with my good friend and fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator Louise Sims, so my time was taken up with last minute preparations for the show and then attending the show itself. Here's a picture of us in front of our stand on Saturday morning raring to go:

We had a great couple of days and it was lovely to meet so many wonderful crafters who we were able to introduce to Stampin' Up! and I am very much looking forward to seeing them again in the future at an event, class or online. 

Whilst I have lots of wonderful projects to share with you here in the coming days and months, today I'm sharing two special offers that you definitely need to know about. The first is one that ends tomorrow, so get in quick!

To celebrate World Card Making Day last Saturday, there are a limited number of products on offer until 5th October:

Lots of great card making staples in there, including great deals on Fast Fuse and in-colour cardstock and envelope paper. Best of all though has to be the offer price on the Envelope Punch Board and the Designer Tin of Cards Kit - you know what a fan I am of Stampin' Up! kits, well this one really doesn't disappoint. A great product for a fun crafty night in with friends or it would make a lovely early Christmas gift. Do get in touch if you'd like to purchase; I will be putting in an order tomorrow night and if you are local to me you are welcome to add to my order and save on postage.

As if that wasn't enough, there is also an amazing offer on designer papers for the entire month of October:

This sale includes Designer Series Paper from both the annual catalogue and the recently released autumn/winter catalogue (not including Specialty Designer Series Paper or Designer Series Paper Stacks). Here are the full details of the paper collections that are included: 

I will be sharing lots of samples using these papers - in fact, pop back tomorrow and you will see the first of many!

Until then, happy stampin'!

It's Wednesday so that means a new collection of Wednesday Weekly Deals! This week's deals are included below - they will be available for one week only, before a new collection of deals is announced.

As always, if you want to take advantage of any of the deals on offer, you can support my business by placing your order online by clicking here or using the link to my store on the right hand side of my blog page where it says 'Shop Online' or with me in person. Don't forget to add the Hostess Code for January (you can find this under the 'Shop Online' section on the right) and be sure to make sure that you don't check the 'no contact' box if you'd like to be kept updated with the progress of you order and receive a little thank you in the post from me. 

Here's a summary of this week's one-week only Wednesday deals - click on each item to go to the online store to purchase:

2013-2015 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack	Blushing Bride 12" X 12" Cardstock	Book Of Birthdays Swatchbook Template - Digital Download	Envelope Punch Board
Gold Soiree Specialty Designer Series Paper	Mossy Meadow A4 Cardstock	Pear Pizzazz 12" X 12" Cardstock	Typeset Specialty Designer Series Paper

There are some great offers on cardstock and designer series paper this week, but why do I think these Wednesday Weekly Deals are the best ever? Well, because my beloved Envelope Punch Board is on offer - I think it's a steal at its full price of £17.95, but at this week's offer price of £13.46 there really is no excuse for everyone not to own one!!

This really is such a versatile piece of kit and when you combine it with my Envelope Expert and Box Buster tools, the sky really is the limit! Nothing more to say other than get yours today!!

Back shortly with today's creative post - happy shopping!

Merry Christmas to you all, my lovely blog readers! After a welcome few days break hosting Christmas for my family, today I'm back to the blog! I have a couple of pre-Christmas makes to share still; do you ever find yourself so busy crafting in the run up to the big day that you spend more time 'in the moment' rather than recording it and sharing? Well, this year that was definitely me! Today I am being treated to a day of rest - my seven year old has declared that he is doing the cooking today, from his new boy's cookbook (doing well so far - fresh fruit and pancakes for breakfast, followed by shepherd's pie for lunch) - so whilst he prepares a feast of chicken dippers for tea, I thought I would take the opportunity to get back into my blog. 

Today's share is some lovely gift packaging made with the Gift Box Punch Board, Envelope Punch Board and the Big Shot and Banner Framelits. I decorated some gifts using boxes made with the gorgeous Under the Tree speciality DSP and the Gift Box Punch board and some easy die cut tags to co-ordinate:

If your gift fits the standard boxes that the Gift Box Punch Board makes, it is a quick and easy 'no glue' packaging solution. With some ribbon and a fancy tag they really look the part:

I also made some bottle tags using the Banner framelits and a circle punch, again decorating with some simple wreaths cut with the Wonderful Wreath framelits - here's a close up:

As my regular readers will know, I am a big fan of the Envelope Punch Board and it is still my tool of choice for creating custom boxes - this is so easy to do with my BoxBuster tool - it enables you to create the perfect box size first time with no paper wastage. Here's one I made for my niece's Christmas gift that is the perfect case in point, this time finished with a tag made with the tree punch to co-ordinate with the Under The Tree paper:

If you are a fan of creating easy, attractive gift packaging, you will be pleased to know that the Gift Box Punch Board is carrying over and will still be available when the current Autumn-Winter seasonal catalogue ends. The Envelope Punch Board is always available as a standard annual catalogue item - phew, I don't know what I'd do if this tool was ever discontinued!

Back tomorrow with another of my pre-Christmas makes and a special announcement, so check back then for more crafting lovliness!

Until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Under The Tree Specialty Designer Series Paper	Gift Box Punch Board	Envelope Punch Board	Banners Framelits Dies	Scalloped Tag Topper Punch
Big Shot Magnetic Platform	Big Shot Die-Cut Machine	Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies	Tree Punch	Gold Glimmer Paper
Red Glimmer Paper	Real Red A4 Card Stock

Firstly, thank you to everyone who has left comments on my blog, Facebook page, youTube channel or emailed me in person with comments and praise for my new Box Buster tool - I am genuinely touched that you have gone out of your way to share with me what a great tool you think this is and I'm delighted to be able to share it with you. Today I'm back with another video tutorial showing you a different box that you can make using your Envelope Punch Board - an open topped Easter bunny treat box - made using paper from the lovely Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper stack:

Sometimes you want to be able to see the contents of your box and today's box is just perfect for that. It also means that when you're making your box out of such lovely double-sided designer paper, you get a lovely glimpse of the reverse side too:

I love the Fresh Prints DSP stack - these paper stacks are great for small boxes and perfect if you're a card maker; I always get through several of these each season! Today's boxes were made to fit the Malteser Easter bunnies that are currently on sale in store right now, but as always with the aid of my Box Buster tool you could adapt the same style box to fit any size contents, just by measuring them; Box Buster from The Crafty Owl will do all the hard work for you and tell you what size paper you need and where you should make your punch marks. So, without further ado, here's what you've all been waiting for - the link to today's video:

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I hope you found the tutorial useful - there's lots more still to come! Don't forget - you can access the Box Buster tool via the button on the right hand side of my blog home page or simply by clicking here.

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy box making!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Envelope Punch Board	Stamp-A-Ma-Jig	Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack	Real Red 1/8 Inch Taffeta Ribbon	Eggstra Spectacular
Label Love	Artisan Label Punch	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad	Real Red Stampin' Write Marker

Hello everyone! From the home of 'cool time-saving tools' (if you're reading this and you're an SU! demonstrator you should also check out my Product Table Builder application) today I have the third of this week's video tutorials showing you how to make a super cute Easter mini-egg treat box using your Envelope Punch Board and my new Box Buster tool. You can use your Envelope Punch Board to make boxes of all shapes and sizes - including some rather dinky small ones. Check out this box that I made to hold 5 foil-wrapped mini eggs ready for Easter:

It measures just 20mm x 20mm x 85mm and it was so easy to work out the paper dimensions and punch points with the help of the Box Buster tool. Here's the video that shows you how I did it, along with a 'top tip' when creating narrow boxes like this:

This size box would also make a great wedding favour - it's the perfect size for sugared almonds if you're looking for something traditional. I hope you found today's video useful; why not use the Box Buster tool to create your own small or narrow boxes? You can use either millimetres or inches (to 1/8 of an inch) and create the box size of your choice?

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Envelope Punch Board	Eggstra Spectacular	Whisper White A4 Card Stock	Brights Designer Series Paper Stack	Brights Stampin' Write Markers
Melon Mambo 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon	Sticky Strip