Mixed up Saturday featuring Michele's magazine Review

Link Below is for Video sharing these projects:

Inlovearts DT Projects Video

Good Saturday Morning Ladies,

Ooooh it's a chilly one, it makes it feel even more like the beginning of the 'Festive Season', I can hardly believe it's December tomorrow, so many people seem to have the decorations up so much earlier this year, it's crazy, don't get me wrong I love my tree but I would be really fed up of looking at it if it was for 6 weeks! Have any of you got yours up yet???

The first project I am sharing with you today is the Advent Calendar that I made with some of the dies that I received from Inlovearts.com, they sent them to me for free in return for me making projects with them for them to use on their website.

I sent them the link to my YouTube Video and I got an email back saying that my projects were 'amazing' and were exactly what they wanted, the included some item numbers of some new dies that they would like me to work with and sent me a voucher to spend in their shop for $35.  I was so relieved that I liked them and was pleased to think that they want me to work with them again.

The Advent calendar was made with made by using two pieces of thick board (from the back of paper pads) stuck together and covered with decorative paper for the front and back panels, they measure A4 in size, I made the binder for the calendar by adhering two pieces of patterned paper together (for strength), I scored it so that I had about an inch and a half border on the front and back of the calendar. I covered the edge of this border with a Braided Trim. I made the Poinsettia's using Sue Wilson Poinsettia dies, the flourishes were made with the fancy flourish part of the top of the hanging Bauble die that I received in my DT package. The border was made using a punch, I added a Ribbon Threader die to the centre of the gold punched border and threaded a piece of Red Seam Binding ribbon through, which ties at the side to secure the calendar.

On the inside I used the Box dies that I received from In Love Arts to cut 24 boxes and matching lids in papers from the same pad as the papers on the front and back.  I die cut the numbers in Gold Mirror card. The back cover is the same as the front minus the Poinsettias.

I quite like the idea of this Calendar I am sending it out as part of a swap, which isn't too bad as it is really light.  I think it's a fun idea that can be bought out year after year.

I hope you like it x

The inside of the Advent Calendar

The shows them with the lids off

This is the back of the calendar.

Michele's Magazine Review

Hi Ladies,

Cardmaking & Papercraft has a cut set of Stamps & coordinating Dies free this month.

Here’s some ideas of what’s inside the magazine.

This article shows how versatile the free gift is as you can use them all year.

Great feature on Aperture spinner cards. These would certainly stand out from most other cards

Inspiration on how to use those mini Dies we probably all have.

Great article on using border stamps to create patterned backgrounds & panels. It’s nice to see cards made using non traditional colours for inspiration.

That’ll all this week so....
Happy Crafting

Love Michele

Thank you so much Michele, I actually have this magazine but haven't had time to read it yet, the free stamp and die set isn't something that I think I will use but some of the sample cards that they share are really inspiring so I mat get round to having a play with them.

I hadn't noticed the article on ideas for using mini dies, that will be really interesting to read, we all have those dies tucked away.  

I really appreciate the time and effort you put into making this feature for the blog every week my lovely.  I hope that you have a lovely day celebrating Phil's Birthday. XXX

You will be pleased to hear that we passed the 'Property Maintenance Inspection' yesterday, with flying colours! She said that our home was 'perfect' which is a nice compliment.  I was massively relieved I can tell you, Paul was just 'I told you there was nothing to worry about' but you all know what I am like, she was a lovely girl who luckily loved cats and Harley, who will take all the fuss he can get.

So a nice relaxing weekend is in store for us I think, we won't be venturing in to town, I think it will be even worse this weekend.

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend however you are spending it,

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra

xxxxxx