Freebie focus " Avant garden"

Free is a word I dearly love. They don't call me Scrimpy for no good reason. I am frugal, tight, careful with money ...some might argue a bit mean. But when there are free stamp sets to be had it would be crazy not to take full advantage. The first one I picked from the special sale-a-bration leaflet was this one Avant Garden. Its just so simply pretty. A ten piece stamp set which includes three wonderful sentiments and amounts the other stamps is the stunning flower head I have used on the front of my card.
                Now there is no point having a free stamp then having to have lots of supplies to go with so all I used was card stock and ink to create this card. I used sweet sugarplum card stock for the card base, Blushing bride for the layer which I stamped a background on and Whisper white to stamp on. Using Sweet sugarplum Ink throughout ensures it co-ordinates easily .
                 I couldn't help but ink the edges using the Stampin' Up! sponges I will say Im a little addicted but I'm sure I will grow out of it eventually. I finished the card by stamping a sentiment from the set in crumb cake, layering on blushing bride and setting to the card with dimensionals. A truly pretty card ....and from a FREE stamp set.
                 To find out more how you can get free stamp sets click my shop button to the right of my blog or contact me directly on amandacharlesworth08@gmail.com. In the mean time grab your cuppa and get comfy for the video tutorial .... HAPPY STAMPING xxx Amanda

Elegant " window box".

Today I felt like a die cutting day so I got out my lovely new dies from the Spring/ Summer catalogue . I looked at them a while and stroked them with a love only a crafter really understands then I decided to create something from the Window box die. I spent a while lining up the dies in my bight and carefully placed the sections to cut out the side panels. This had to be done singularly and six times...now me and patience aren't close friends but I behaved myself and concentrated. I absolutely adore how this box turned out and feel super proud of myself for creating something so pretty. It really wasn't hard to get good results as all of the sizing and cutting and scoring has basically been done for you with this amazing die.

                         I used the beautiful Sahara sand card stock and matched it with very vanilla, the two go together perfectly. I used a sentiment from the co-ordinating stamp set to this die which is named Window shopping. I layered the sentiment on pretty glassine paper from the sending love suite which has a delicate mini flower pattern on. Finishing the box I took out my ultimate favourite...well one of them... sets petite petals. Stamping on very vanilla and blushing bride I punched these out shaped, added a rhinestone then attached with glue dots. 

                          On completion we have a very simple yet elegant box with a cut out lid and sidepannels which does open and close.... amazing and without the stress of working out measurements and scoring. An absolute must for any occasion . I see this as a beautiful Wedding table decoration or guest favour ..the possibilities are endless. 

Video tutorial showing assembly instructions

Should you wish to purchase any items seen on my blog you can click the shop now button to the right hand side or you can contact me directly at amandacharlesworth08@gmail.com

HAPPY STAMPING xxx Amanda    

Link to the Window box items in the Spring Summer catalogue:-https://www2.stampinup.com/ecweb/searchresults.aspx?demoid=5023169