Welcome to my new DT team mates and a new SWU challenge

Yesterday was my first christmas meal out. We went to a lovely local hotel that also has a spa and the meal was followed by a massage - very mellowing. I also received my first christmas present and I've only just started my christmas shopping, eek, better get a move on! It's another busy week this week, I'll be in Plymouth from Monday to Friday for work, followed by the Cringle Mingle for my downlines and hostesses on Saturday, so I'm squeezing in shopping today. Hmm that might be a tall order.

Enough of the wittering I can hear you say and onto the crafting. Ok then, we have a new challenge today over at Stamp With Us and I have some new team mates on the Design Team, so a very big welcome to Nicci, Rosie Stephanie and Dawn. Gonna love working with you guys, your entries were fantastic and I loved browsing your blogs.

For this fortnight's challenge at SWU we have this sketch:

Well I finally broke the seal on my Bella Bleu papers, instead of just stroking them through the plastic wrap lol and I'm so glad I have. They're gorgeous and I'm going to want to order more of them anyway so I may as well start using this pack up. I loved making this card and plan to do another version of this today, when I get back from the shopping, using Not Quite Navy and the paper you can see in the background - should work well I think.

Recipe

Stamp set: Silent Night

Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

DSP: Bella Bleu

Ink: Craft White

Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon: Very Vanilla

Punches: Boho Blossoms, 1-1/4" Circle

Other: Earth Elements Button, Dazzling Diamonds, Gold Elastic Cord, Gold Brads

Non-SU: Nestabilities

I stamped the image with Craft White ink and then used an aquapainter with the same ink to colour the church roof and foreground. I'm not quite used to this ink yet even though I used to use pigment inks all the time before I found SU. I added my Dazzling Diamonds before the ink had dried and so it stuck wherever there was ink. It's a lovely effect but I would have been better to use Heat and Stick powder in between to "fix" the glitter and stop it shedding. Another method would be to heat the craft ink gently to fix it and then use my 2-way glue pen to add glitter just at the spots I wanted it. At least I've learned for the next version.

Don't forget that you have a fortnight to enter this challenge so even with all your christmas festivities and jobs to do, I hope that you'll be able to find time to join us.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Off to the shops now for me.

Sara xx