Mini Catalogue Blog Hop

Well it could be a blog marathon really as there are 56 of us from In Love With Stamping taking part today.  The hop has been split into 4 groups, I am in group 3 and the others groups can be found by clicking on the links here Group 1   Group 2   Group 4

If you get stuck in any loop use the group 1 link above, Erika has a full list on her sidebar.

You should have come here from Rita's blog - Rita's work is beautiful and she has inspired me in the past when I've been lacking in mojo!

Ok so here are my offerings, first I have a full picture of something that you got a sneaky peek of a while back.  It's a gift box made using the Top Note die, I am in love with my BigShot!  I think it's great that 17 out of the 23 dies in the mini catalogue are EXCLUSIVE to Stampin' Up!  The BigShot is great for those times when you need to quickly duplicate things and it's so easy to use - keep an eye on my blog for more details about exclusive BigShot classes that I will be running.  Get in touch if you'd like to come to one they will run from my home in Northampton.

Here's the box, I've used some of my retired papers because I know that my friend loves these colours.  Dies used are the Top Note and the 4 pack of dies Lots of Tags.  I have also used the embosslit Sweet Buttons, the word window punch and the distressing essentials kit.

 Project number 2 is a gift bag topper, again using the Top Note die as I wanted to show the versatility of it.  I don't think I've begun to scratch the surface yet though!

Here's a close up of the topper.  I've used Old Olive, Pear Pizazz and Very Vanilla Cardstock.  The punches are Decorative Label, Blossom Petal (both new in the mini) 1 -3/4" x 7/8" oval and the 2 step bird.  The sentiment is from Oval All and is stamped in Early Espresso then stuck over the Pear Pizazz frame (from the new Four Frames set in the mini).  I made the little bloom using the smallest petal from the blossom punch, stamped 3 times in Blushing Bride then once in Pear Pizazz.  I stuck the 3 pink petals together, then cut the green one in half and stuck that on too, the stem is from the 2 step bird.

My 3rd project is actually a swap that I am making, I have used Stampin Pastels to colour another of the images from the Four frames set.  This set fits the designer label punch perfectly!   I really like the way that you can 'double mount' it too, here I've  used Rose Red, it's slightly lighter than the rich Razzleberry Top Note so it pops!  I've stamped the foliage from Vintage Vogue in versamark all over the Top Note to give a watermarked effect.  Inside is a yummy chocolate biccy!

I really hope you like my projects please leave a comment as I really like to know what you think.  Next in the hop is Carolyn, check out her blog here