YNS New Release Hop & Challenge #11

Hello everybody! Thanks for joining us for another fun and fabulous Your Next Stamp Blog Hop! YNS just released 3 Easter-themed sets (Fhiona's Easter Basket, Hoppy Easter Fhiona, Fhiona's Little Easter Buddy) and 3 Mother's Day-themed sets (Flower Bouquet Fhiona, You're Fabulous, Cheers!) so the Starlets (and our awesome guest designer!) have whipped up some eye candy using many of the new images.

If you came here by way of Amy's blog, then you're on the right track! If not, please go back and start at Karen's blog because you won't want to miss a stop!

Also, since it's a challenge Wednesday, we have a new challenge for you! The theme was set by Amy and is to use a Big Bow!

Because we've combined a Challenge with the Hop, our prizes and rules are a bit different. Please read all about them on the YNS Challenge Blog (which is also the last stop on the Hop). Entries for Challenge #11 and our new release BLOG HOP close at Midnight (EST) on Tuesday, March 16th.

*****And now on to the show!*****

For the Hop, the Starlets were asked to create a card and matching gift bag/box/basket. And of course, we were also to add in the Challenge element of using a big bow. Now I have to admit I messed up the challenge and didn't make my bows very big, but we'd like to see some really fab, big bows on all your projects!!

I had the super cute and fun Cheers! set by Dale Designs, and I came up with this set:


My mom really likes these little on-the-go drink mixes so I made a sampler set for her to have a bunch of different flavors (the tin holds 14 packets perfectly!).


The sketch for my card is from Sunday Sketch & Stamp (and was created by my fellow Starlet Simonne!) and the papers are really old Basic Grey that matched many of the colors on the drink packets.

For the flower, I used the Spellbinders Blossom Two die set. After cutting out the big blossom, I snipped out just a tiny bit between each petal to give it a slightly different look. Then I rounded the petals and added a smaller die cut from the same set with a button and twine bow. The Ms are Sizzix dies.


The container for the drink packets is a Maya Road tin that came with 'bellies in it. I made a pattern for the top using printer paper and then cut the patterned paper with it, finishing it off with a straight stitch all around the outer edge. The drink was stamped, colored with Copics and then I went over the "liquid" portion with Stardust glitter pen spread with a waterpen. Finally I cut it out and popped it up on foam boosters. The middle portion was made with the Nestabilities Labels Four and Quickutz letters cut from foam and then covered with glitter. The flower was made the same as the one on the card.

Both card and gift qualify for these challenges as well:

• PaperPlay - For a Mother
• Secret Crafter - stitching
• Allsorts - card/gift for Mother's Day
• My Time to Craft - Just for Mum!

I hope you liked my projects and thanks for hopping along with us! Your next stop is the incredibly talented Angela.