My swap for our team crafting weekend – super cute pandas from Wildly Happy

Being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator is so much more than crafting.  I have made so many friends through this great hobby.  Last weekend we had a team crafting weekend.   Michelle Last, who heads up our larger team, organises it for us and it is so much fun.  Over the two days we make lots of gorgeous projects, chat and laugh and catch up.  Although Michelle is a superwoman it is a big event to organise so she divides up the tasks amongst the attendees – it really is a group effort.  Whenever we get together one of our favourite activities is swapping.  This is when you make a quantity of one design and share it with other demos in return for one of their swaps.  It is a great way to see other stamp sets, papers and colourways.  This is the swap I designed.

What inspires your creations?

Where does your inspiration start for a card?  Mine definitely varies but this one was from the patterned paper.  I was flicking through the Mosaic Mood paper (we were given it free at a Stampin’ Up event) and I wasn’t sure I really liked it so was determined to use it up!  This piece of paper made me think of bamboo shoots and so the pandas were the obvious choice.

The Wildly Happy stamp set has 4 gorgeous animal images of mummys and babies.  There are the pandas, elephants, bunnies and foxes.  I think they might be designed for new baby cards but don’t be limited by that they are just perfect for many occasions.

The pandas are stamped in memento ink and coloured them using the light Basic Black blend. Using the dark Basic Black  was too dark and the detail of the image was lost.  I always like to ground images so added some light Crumb Cake.

The “I’m here for you” sentiment is stamped in memento ink from Itty Bitty Greetings.  This set is an invaluable sentiment set – check it out on P30 of the annual catalogue.

One of my craft staples is the gold foil and here a scalloped square is just enough to added a pop of gold.

Mosaic Mood patterned paper – Yay or Nay?

So what do you think of this paper?  As I said initially I wasn’t too sure but I have to admit I’ve used both sheets of the leaf paper already and also another two sheets with the gently Crushed Curry flowers for treat packaging.  Perhaps it isn’t my all time favourite but it is great basic in your craft supplies.

Here are the supplies for the card.

Product List