Stampin' Up Purse die - what's in yours?

I'm always excited to see the new dies in each new catalogue and this year I was delighted to see the adorable Petite Purse die. I always like to pop a handmade gift into my lovely Stampers 6 members' parcels each month and I thought this die would be perfect, so I set about cutting them out and embellishing them. Here's what I ended up with:

I love the shape of these little handbags and there's plenty of room for a treat inside (I managed to get three chocolates in each of these!) or a small gift. They'd be perfect done in pinks and sparkles for a little girl's birthday party favours or white on white for elegant bridesmaids' gifts or in festive red, gold and green at Christmas...

... I chose this sophisticated autumn palette for mine - Chocolate Chip card stock, with a striped band of Patterns designer paper and a beautiful focal piece which was cut out of one of the International Bazaar papers.

Here's a close up of that piece, decorated with a tiny punched flower and a tiny pearl.  I absolutely love the design of this paper with its folk art style!

• If you're a designer paper fan it really is a brilliant time to join Stampin' Up: the starter kit is only £99 and not only do you get to choose £130 of goodies to go in it but you also get a pack of designer paper free each month for six months afterwards! Click here to find out more about becoming a demonstrator - it might be just the thing for you!

• If you're interested in joining my Stampers 6 club, there'll be a new one starting in January 2013. Click here to find out about this fun way of spreading the cost of your crafting supplies.

Here's what you'll need to make this project
Card stock: Chocolate Chip, scrap of Pacific Point
Designer paper:  International Bazaar designer paper, Patterns stack in Neutrals
Other: Big Shot, Petite Purse die, Itty Bitty punch pack, Basic Pearls
I'd be delighted to order any of these items for you and have them delivered straight to your address in the UK, France, Deutschland, Nederland or Osterreich. 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 +44 (0) 1280 820593. Check out current special offers here.

My youngest son went off with my husband to a local fireworks display on Saturday evening (the older two had gone off to various parties) and came back rosy-cheeked and excited having seen 'the best firework display EVER' and eaten a stick of candy floss that was almost bigger than he was! I found out the other day that in Australia this confection is known as 'fairy floss' - how cute is that?! (Not sure that my son would've been particularly impressed however!)

Enjoy your Monday!