Young At Heart - Designer Spotlight at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Hi there and Welcome!

I'm genuinely thrilled, and very honoured, to be the Guest Designer for Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge during this month of February. As most of you know the Design Team there is comprised of 'la crème de la crème' so to have been invited into the monthly 'Designer Spotlight' slot is an amazing compliment. Thank-you so very much to all at the Simon Says Stamp Store and the Monday Challenge Crew.

The theme for this week's challenge is 'Young At Heart' (Valentines) and we are showcasing products from the fabulous Simon Says Stamp Exclusive Brand. Please do pop over to the this week's challenge post to see superb inspiration from the fabulous Design Team.

I've made an Exploding Box to fit the theme...

You can find lots of templates on Pinterest and YouTube to make your own Exploding Box. Each side of my one measures 10cm / 3.94 inches. I've kept the outer sides very simple as there is plenty going on inside! The outsides are decorated with (Simon Says Stamp) die-cut squares that have been embossed with a 'Tiny Dots' Texture Fade. Layered on those are 'Stacked Hearts' cut using the Simon Says Stamp Stacked Hearts die. (If you want to end up with lots of little hearts to use as confetti or embellishments, this is a great die to choose for it's offcuts).

Lifting off the lid reveals the inner decorated sides ...

I've used papers from Prima 'Tales of You and Me' collection throughout. Products available from Simon Says Stamp store are linked at end of post.

I'll just briefly run through each of the sides. The focal image on top lid (a printout from stash) sits atop Prima papers and is embellished with the (Simon Says Stamp) die cut word 'Love' and a Prima Aleggra flower and zipper junk-yard finding. All the diecut text in each part of box is coated with Glossy Accents to make it pop. Some glitter coated falling hearts are stencilled around the 'young sweethearts'.

Photo above right shows the centre before it was glued inside box. Now as far as I'm concerned one would want to be 'Young at Heart', and body (!), to go for a tandem ride. I coloured the cute chipboard tandem with Krylon gold and silver pens and a Distress Marker. I used the Stacked Hearts die again to float above the bicycle. (Triple cut for firmness with cardstock as centre layer).

Next shot shows the other four sides before they were glued in place...

At top left is the gorgeous text diecut 'Heart Smile' by Simon Says Stamp. I used a couple of dies for the side at top right i.e. Simon Says Stamp 'Believe' and Sizzix / Holtz 'Holiday Script' (used the latter to make the word 'in' that I chopped from the word 'winter'!). Again some hearts are stencilled about and an Idea-Ology game spinner makes for a faux arrow.

Bottom left includes some Prima resin shutters - perhaps some Valentine(s) are inside lol. Also used an old die by Simon Says Stamp - 'Ribbon Banner', a metal embellishment from stash, hearts and fussy cut butterflies. Photo bottom right alludes to love letters and date night invitations all wrapped up in a Sizzix diecut envelope. (Flowers and wood embellishment by Prima, pen nib is Idea-ology, tickets and tiny letter are stamped).

Spinning the box around 180° you can view from the opposite angle. (And OMG but I spied when it was way too late that I hadn't inked the reverse sides of the tandem's tyres!! Best to embrace imperfection and keep smiling lol!).

Well that's it! I hope you've enjoyed my make today. Don't forget - each week Simon Says Stamp gives a generous $50 prize to a lucky challenge winner to spend in store. If you're not in, you can't win!

Very many thanks again to all at the Simon Monday Challenge for inviting me to be Guest Designer this month, it's a pleasure to craft alongside the team.

Thank-you for taking the time to stop by.

Wishing all a lovely week ahead,
Nicola x

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I used products that are available from Simon Says Stamp Store as follows:

Dies

Simon Says Stamp You Make My Heart Smile, Simon Says Stamp Stacked Hearts, Simon Says Stamp Believe, Simon Says Stamp Love, Simon Says Stamp Basic Squares, Tim Holtz / Sizzix Holiday Script

Papers

Prima Marketing - Tales of You and Me Notecards

Embellishments

Prima Marketing Sun Kiss Charme Rose, Tim Holtz Idea-ology Game Spinners and Pen Nibs, May Arts Pink Twine, Hero Arts Pearls

Embossing Folder

Tim Holtz / Sizzix Tiny Dots

Stencil

Heidi Swapp Confetti

Ranger Distress Inks

Ground Espresso and Victorian Velvet. Also Distress Marker Ground Espresso

Other Media

Krylon Leafing Pens in 18kt Gold and Silver, Ranger Stickles Crystal, Prima Marketing White Art Sugar, Ranger Texture Paste, Ranger Glossy Accents

Sticky Stuff

Ranger Wonder Tape , Aleene's Tacky Glue, 3D Foam Dots

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I wish to enter Exploding Box to the following challenges:
A Vintage Journey - Words That Are Special
The Crazy Challenge - Romance
Crafty Creations - Anything Goes
Kort o Mania - Use dies and/or punch
Craft For The Craic - Anything with 2 on it (Two people)
Try It On Tuesday - Hearts & Flowers
Crafty Cardmakers - Love, Love, Love
Bastel-Traum - Friendship / Love
Scrap From Your Heart - Valentines / Mother's Day
Make It Prima - February 2017