Welcome to the very first Casually Crafting Blog Hop! The theme for our first hop today was easy to chose – Celebration and so I get to share my Casually crafting celebration cards.

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So who are we? We are a group of Stampin’ Up demonstrators who just love to stamp when ever we can. We particularly love the type of cards that are simple and easy to make with just a few products. So would ideally suit beginner and casual crafter’s . We will be sharing our ideas on the 3rd Friday of each month and you can hop around the group and gather loads of inspiration. So grab yourself a cup of your favourite beverage, sit back & enjoy the hop!

Casually Crafting – Celebration

I am currently away on my winter holidays, following the England Cricket team and in between matches seeing some beautiful places in South Africa and Namibia. Its something we have done for about 15 years and hubby and I love it! We have made many friends over the years and its great to catch up whilst with them. We will also be celebrating a few birthdays whilst we are away, so I managed to sneak a few stamp sets and crafting bits in my hand luggage, which have also worked perfectly of this hop (TIP: Snips in the hold).

Casually Crafting Celebration Cards – Timeless Tropical

So I just had to grab the Timeless Tropical Bundle from my case for this project. This pretty bundle is part of the stunning Tropical Oasis suite and will be available to order from the 3rd January (check out the links at the bottom of the post for your wish list) and is priced at £48.50. So that means you get to chose a FREE item from the Sale-a-bration brochure. BONUS! Trust me there are some super cute stamps, punches, patterned papers to pick and who doesn’t love a bargain

My first card, was one that literally took just a few minutes to make and just uses stamps, ink, paper and some twine, diamante and my favourite finishing touch……….

I drew my inspiration from some of the stunning sunsets we have seen. Use four inks to watercolour the sunset and then once it had dried stamped the image and sentiment in Tuxedo Black Memento ink. I then wrapped some white bakers twine around the card and then attached it to the base using some Dimensionals.

Gently wash over the water coloured sunset with my trusty Wink of Stella. I just love the way it can transform a simple card to stunning. A few sparkles on the palm trees to represent coconuts and its done!

Sneak Peak 2 – Timeless Tropical

My second card is celebrate a special friend in my life and as soon as I saw the pineapples I knew she would love it paired with this elegant meaningful sentiment.

I simply stamped the pineapples & the sentiment using smoky slate Ink and then coloured the pineapples with blends. I then embossed the card using my go to Subtles embossing folder and then used the brand new Coastal Weave 3D embossing folder (151503) which is part of the Tropical Oasis Suite. The detail is just amazing. (Please note I didn’t bring my Big shot with me in my hand luggage LOL! I had already prepared this card at a play date with a friend earlier in the month)

Voila!

So what do you think? Casual and celebration? Which do you prefer? Please let me know in a comment.

Casually Crafting Design Team Blog Hop

You may have arrive from Hilary’s blog or started here, but do go hop onto the next blog which is the uber talented Barry. Just click on the photo and it will take you straight there.

And the rest of the blog Roll

Don’t forget

• If you would like to purchase any of the Stampin’ Up! items used for this project, click on the product photos below. You will be taken to my Online Shop where you can find more information and order craft products 24/7!
• Is your Stampin’ Up! order less than £150? If so, use the current Reward Code below and receive a free gift from me along with other perks!
• If your order is over £150 please do not use the code as you will be your own Hostess and get your own rewards to spend! That’s free stuff that you get to chose what ever you wish from the current catalogues and clearance rack
• or if your order is £99 and above consider joining my team and picking up a whole host of extras. Check it out here

Thanks for looking

Stampin Hugs

Sara