3 minute engagement card

I'm always happy to hear of ways to help others through crafting. One way cardmakers can help a very worthy cause is to join in with the St Lukes Charity Challenge. This is a monthly challenge, with prizes, where you not only make a card, but also actually send it in along with any others you may have spare. The cards are sold to raise money for the St Lukes Hospice in Sheffield which cares for terminally ill people and offers support to their families. I think it's a great idea to help others by doing what we love!

It's a great challenge this month - the theme is Bling, which gives me the chance to make something I've been wanting to try for a long time with Creatively Yours, a stamp set you might just have overlooked from the main Idea Book and Catalogue (page 84). Come and see:

Creatively Yours is a wonderful set consisting of eight images designed to add that professional touch to your handmade creations. The gorgeous image I've used here usually says 'handstamped' in the little box but with a stamp-a-majig, all things are possible...

...and the box makes a great home for a 'congratulations' sentiment which fits in nicely with its heart swirls and hand with heart motif! Give the hand a rhinestone ring and you suddenly have an engagement card and the brushed silver card base just adds to the celebratory feel.

I know what you're thinking: as bling goes it's pretty understated but you have to remember I'm a CAS kind of a girl and also that the card took only three minutes to make! If I'd had a bit more time, perhaps I would have stamped the hand again, cut it out with a circle punch and popped it up over the original (the 'ring' would obviously be placed on the popped up hand.)

Here's what you'll need to make today's card:

Stamps: Creatively Yours, Perfect Punches (sentiment)

Ink: Basic Grey and Real Red markers

Card stock: Whisper White, Brushed Silver

Other: Basic Rhinestones, stamp-a-majig

I'd be delighted to order any of these items for you and can have them delivered to your address in the UK. I'm committed to providing excellent customer service and am always happy to offer help and advice. To place your order, just send me an email or give me a call on 01280 820593. And don't forget to add a free pack of designer paper if your order is £45 or more (Offer limited to one pack per qualifying order - click here for details).

We've been having a major clear out here, of out-grown, outdated clothes mainly. In the back of my youngest son's wardrobe we found something which triggered many memories: a white beanie rabbit belonging to my daughter which had gone missing many moons ago. She had called it Snowball but the boys had stolen it, given it the villain's role in one of their games and re-named it Mip the Kipper! The game, which went on for several years, ended with the evil rabbit being heroically captured by the other beanie toys and thrown into The Abyss (the back of the wardrobe). Oh those wonderful times before the evil xbox turned up! Maybe that should be 'thrown into The Abyss' one of these days!

See you tomorrow,