A Stamp Rewind for My Anniversary

Pin It Now! You hoard retired stamp sets like me, don't you? I'm not alone here?!  As a demo, I find myself trying to use the current sets because, of course, they're fresh and new. But for my 15th Anniversary this week, I found myself at a loss for a perfect stamp. But looking around my room, I saw that I had amazing stamps...they're everywhere!

This was more or less the sketch from last week's challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments, and I CASE'd the style of Diana Eichfeld with her pretty challenge winner. 

My husband collects clocks, so the cuckoo clock from Forever Young was perfect. And "Love always" was layered from a retired Valentine set, Affection Collection. I used an interesting die cut that complemented the shaped of the clock, and added woodgrain embossing. 

I think what he said was, "Wow, baby, you really did a nice job!"  :D I get that a lot. Haha. 

So, pull out those old stamp sets, blow off the dust, and ink them up!

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS: Forever Young, Affection Collection (both retired)

INK: Blackberry Bliss, Gold Stampin' Emboss, Versamark, 

PAPER: Blackberry Bliss, Brushed Gold, Watercolor paper

EMBELLISHMENTS: Gold Sequin Trim, Apothecary Labels Thinlits dies, 2-1/2" circle punch, Mossy Measow striped satin ribbon, Naturals button, corner round punch, Woodgrain embossing folder

Elegant Party Hat Gift Card Holder

Pin It Now! Party Time!  A very sweet and talented friend of mine recently had a "milestone" birthday.  LOLOLOL!  I can laugh because I hit that milestone last year...it only hurts for a minute!  I made her a little something fun, but cute enough to suit her style...a party hat, in her favorite shade of wine, that holds a gift card, which supports her favorite sport (shopping).

The hat starts out just simply, a hat...but tucked underneath is a pull tab that reveals a free standing gift card. Fun and funner (my word). 

A BIG ol' tulle pom pom sits atop the hat, which is what we're challenging you to try at Hand Stamped Sentiments this week - anything goes pom pom week!  The tulle makes a fun trim for the top & bottom. 

The hat is embellished with some new items...Affection Collection stamp set and Flourish Designer Frames, with more tulle behind the silver frame (bent to curve along the front) and some crochet ribbon trim.  Sponged in Crumb Cake and Real Red.

 The big reveal!

 Inside is a little gift card stand.  The sentiment is from Layered Labels, layered with Champagne Glimmer Paper and another stamp from Affection Collection.  The red flocked transparency is backed with Very Vanilla, and is used inside and outside.  I love the velvety texture of this Christmas paper from the Candlelight Christmas suite, and I love using Christmas paper for non-Christmas projects!

 A couple of closer looks at the details...

 I hope she enjoys it!  I wish I'd made more than one.

Won't you join us at HSS this week, and sport your pom poms?!

SUPPLIES:
STAMPS:  Affection Collection, Layered Labels
INK:  Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
PAPER: Candlelight Christmas DSP, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler
ACCESSORIES:  Scalloped Tulle Ribbon, Crochet Ribbon, Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Flourish Designer Frames, Scallop Border Punch, Basic Rhinestones.

Have a blessed and creative day! Erika