Orlando Swaps

Conventions in America are HUGE! We know they allowed space for 7000 demonstrators, and there are 42 going from the South Pacific (Australia & New Zealand) to my knowledge. In the hope of meeting some new people I signed up to an organised swap, and mine is 'any occasion'. They are very specific about what is required, so I altered the size to US dimensions lengthwise (5½") but because our card is a smidge narrower, I couldn't do much about that.

My 'dummy' card was a birthday version, and I could have left it at that (I found out later) but utilising A Big Thank You and two of its stamps, it became a friendly hello card. Those stamps were positioned on a block so they could be stamped repititively. When I make multiples, I complete each part of the process before moving to the next. So much easier to die cut a bunch of Stitched Shape large circles, before stamping with the flower from Love What You Do twice.

A whole roll of  Old Olive Sheer Ribbon went onto these cards, but I had accidently ordered it twice so I guess it was meant to be.The Granny Apple Green card was cut, before the gorgeous paper, Tropical Escape 6' X 6" DSP, was added. They are all different, and yet quite similar.

Full cards were needed for the swap, so a new pack of Soft Sea Foam card was put onto my next order. I'm sure I'll have some lovely swaps to bring home too.

A very pleasant evening was spent colouring those flowers with Stampin' Blends in light and dark Flirty Flamingo, and stamping the leaves - so easy.

You can find all the supplies and tools you need to make projects like this in the Stampin' Up! catalogue and my Online Shop. The Classic Label Punch is really handy for quickly punching those smaller sentiments to add to your handmade cards.

The original 'dummy' design next to the sample I took with me. Below, they are all laid out on my table for a group shot!

Love What You Do has such a lovely selection of stamps in it, and I do love this stem of flowers. In a few days I will be making the long flight home with my travel buddy Kathryn. I know it will be wonderful to get back to my family, but hopefully I come with a stack of business inspiration and travel experiences to share.

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I have been hoping that my business has kept ticking along in my absence, and for those who have ordered using the Host Code while I've been away, you will receive a thank you from me in the mail. If your order was over $60, you will receive some rhinestones, over $100, I will put you in the draw for one of these exclusive shopping bags.

AWH SALE-A-Bration Blog Hop

Tonight the Art with Heart team are sharing creative projects using products from the sale-a-bration brochure. All sale-a-bration products are earned for FREE with sales of $90+ (AUD).

• If you spend $90, you get one free level 1 product.
• If you spend $180, you get one free level 2 product, OR, they can choose two level 1 items.
• If you spend $270, you have the option to choose three level 1 items or one level 1 item and one level 2 item.

The sale-a-bration promotion is current now until March 31st. Be sure to request your copy of the brochure today.
Sale-a-bration is also a great time to join our fabulous team. Ask any of the girls on the hop!

It was fun to put together these two bright cards using SALE-A-Bration products. Party Pandas, my first choice SAB pick had to be one and the Bubbles & Fizz DSP was the other.

I used the Stitched Shape Framelit dies to cut small squares from the DSP for a bright background. The party hat panda was stamped onto another Stitched Shape, this time a circle. I use these dies ALL the time.

Even the ribbon is a Sale-a-bration bonus pick (there are 3 spools in different colours) The Classic Label Punch always comes in handy for these small sentiments.

This card with the bottles uses the dies from the bundle, but not a single stamp! That's because the bottle dies cut out two sizes of images from the SALE-A-Bration DSP , Bubbles & Fizz.

Can you see the droplets of water? They're in the suite of products which you'll find on pages 32-33 of the Occasions catalogue.

I thought the sentiment from Perennial Birthday really suited the card!

Here's a 3rd card which uses some more of the Bubble & Fizz paper, a jar from Jars Of Love for bubble mixture, an icy pole stick from Cool Treats and the lid of an aqua painter.

Now you are heading over to see what my talented team member Leanne has made.

If you find a broken link or have come to this blog hop from a different entry point, you can view the participants below:

Caroline Manwaring

Rachel Palmieri

Leanne Mitchell

Rachel Woollard

Fiona Ryan

Rebecca Jacovou

Kate Morgan

Alisha Watson

Claire Daly

Tina Gillespie

Monika O’Neill

Kim Dallinger

Ros Davidson

Sharon Davern

Catherine Proctor 

Message In A Bottle

Message In A Bottle is a cute stamp set on page 52 of the Stampin' Up!® Annual catalogue. All the little images can be stamped in the bottle, such fun! I've used a variety of them behind the adorable little mermaid in a sailor hat, stamped in Pool Party on Pool Party card, they make a subtle background.

Inside the card, I decided the whale could be in the bottle this time. Until I stamped him/her, I hadn't seen the tiny heart at the top of the water spurting from his blowhole. It really adds a sweet finish!

Number of Years is my most valuable Framelit in my craft room. I'm always adding numbers to cards. This retired pink card seems to pick up the colour of the Watercolor pencil  the bikini and hat have been coloured with. Happy Birthday, Gorgeous has this label tag outline and scripted sentiments which fit inside. What's more, there is a punch which matches the label tag, called Classic Label, displayed on page 206 of the Annual catalogue with other punches.

While the stamp was out, I mad a set of gift tags for my daughter-in-law to add to small gifts. She has already used a couple of them so I know they were appreciated. The Pizza Box features in the Holiday Catalogue and is perfect for 3" X 3 " cards and the envelopes available which have returned to the range. Pizza boxes are easy to assemble, and perfect to decorate for many small gifts. No doubt you are looking for ideas for Christmas gift-giving and teacher thank you gifts. Would something like this suit your needs?

                                                                                                                                                       
                                         
There is a mistake on one of these cards unfortunately, and this is one which has already been used. Oh dear! It was an easy little project to make with the Stitched Shape Framelits (square) in 2 sizes.
Very simple stamping in the shade of ink which matches the card used.

I'm looking forward to playing again with Message In A Bottle.

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