Use It Up in 2012 + Grandson's Birthday Card

Evening All,

I've just discovered whilst catching up on blogland a little big challenge with a difference that some of you might be interested in. Maggie of Silvercrafter pointed me in the direction of the Use It Up in 2012 challenge devised by Fran on her Crafty Me blog.

The challenge is for us to use up the crafting stuff we already have stashed away in our craft space and NOT buy anything but the essentials that we will use up anyway, i.e. adhesives, paint, white card base. Fran suggests that we go shopping in our own stash instead of at our local craft store or surfing on-line stores because most of us have untouched goodies tucked away ... we bought them because we loved them, wanted them and saw a need for them, so why not take the time to use them.

Now, I've been using up snippets, leftovers and scraps for some time, taking part in Jules Sunday Snippet (recently handed over to Di for her Pixie's Crafty Snippets Challenge) for much of last year, and this year I plan to continue doing so ... even though my snippet mountain remains fairly consistently high :)

I also participate in Scrap Our Stash, a challenge blog dedicated to inspiring us to use our stash too. I was a guest on the design team last month, and have now been asked to continue as a member of the team  ... so look out for more scrapbooking projects using up stash, of course, in the future. 

All this because I find crafting stash irresistible ... it's almost an addiction, especially for ribbons. It's got to stop, if only for the sake of my bank account :))  So I've taken the pledge ... I'm going to use up my stash.

So does this strike a chord with you? Are you up for it? If so, I'll see you over on Fran's blog ... I think it will be fun!!

And to get off to a good and early start I've trawled through my DP drawer and re-discovered a pack of Papermania Henbury Lane Poinsettia paper bought for the Christmas before last ... yes, about October 2010 to be precise. Tucked away in the pack of untouched papers, decoupage, alphas, etc., were snippets leftover from way back then. I used some up in a Christmas card posted yesterday and then  made my big grandson's birthday card using some of the untouched DP.

Although the pack is Christmas themed, it does contain several designs that I would say were fairly nonspecific, like the two I've used here.  I've used a star shaped stamp embossed in silver on the black mat for the decoupaged car and the star patterned paper echoes it nicely. Stripes are always a good choice for a male themed card.

More stars and a foiled die-cut sentiment decorate the inside.

I wrapped the DP round the back of the card too ... extravagant or what!

Materials used:

Card: 5.5" square base card; black card for matting
DP: Docrafts Papermania Henbury Lane Poinsettia
Decoupage: Create & Craft Decoupage Twin Pack , red car
Stamp: Stampin' Up, So Happy For You set
Ink: Memento, Tuxedo Black; VersaMark
Embossing powder; Heat It Up, Silver
Adhesives: DS tape; Create & Craft roller tape, Pinflair glue gel
Greeting letters, peel-off edge trim & male foiled die-cut sentiment all Anita's

And here he is, my grandson, William, the birthday boy, 23 ... how did that happen???  William would love to own a car of his own, hence the theme of the card. But, like many lads of his age, he simply cannot afford the upkeep, especially the insurance. He did buy a little car just after he passed his test, it was his pride and joy, but the insurance was astronomical and in the end he sold it rather than bankrupt himself. He's a sensible lad who works hard as a baker for one of the big supermarket chains; it does seem such a shame that he is penalised for simply being young. But, in the meantime he is saving hard for the day he can treat himself another set of wheels.

We visited my niece today and had a great time cuddling the baby, Arihanna. She is so little ... I'd forgotten how tiny premature babies can be, and she is still quite jaundiced looking too but she is thriving and an absolutely beautiful little doll. Sorry, no photos yet, I forgot to take my camera. The EM, now Arihanna's devoted slave, did take a few on his mobile, he just has to work out how he can e-mail them to me so I can post a piccie or two ... as he is somewhat technically challenged, he could be some time :))

I'm just waiting for some glitter glue to dry before finishing another little card using snippets, and then it will be on to something different.

I hope you are all enjoying the weekend, whatever you are up to.

Happy crafting,