Mix and Match Ephemera for AYSI 325

At As You See It, we've rolled around to the last challenge on our rota and that's the love-it or hate-it Speed Challenge. This one really gets the blood flowing as you take on the challenge of creating a Thank You card in TEN MINUTES OR LESS!

Yes, you read that right - ten minutes or less! Before you start to think that's not possible, here's how it works.

Your ten minutes DOES NOT include:

• Thinking and planning time
• Getting out your supplies eg blocking up stamps, putting embellishments and dies on the desk
• Cleaning up!

However, the clock starts the moment you do any actual making - inking up the stamp, cutting the card, cutting the dies, embossing the paper. Whatever you do that actually uses the supplies you've gathered is clock start time. 

For a speed challenge, I'm always looking for quick hacks such as really pretty DSP, large die cuts or stamps. You know the kind of thing - big impact, little effort/quick. I've tried out a new thing today and that's the new Mix and Match Ephemera Packs. 

You'll find these on page 18 of the new catalogue and they're easy to pass over. There are sets of notecards and envelopes, plus various packs of pre-printed die cuts that you can put together in any combination. While you can use these in a self-contained way, you can add them to your general supplies. I've used some of the die cuts but my own card base and embellishments. Best of all - a good looking card in just over 5 minutes - and minimal clean-up!

I used Peach Pie for my card base and the Eyelet 3D embossing folder on Basic White for the card. The Brushed Brass Butterflies are from my stash too. But the elements of the focal point come from the Fully Flowering Mix and Match Ephemera Pack and the Labels & Layers Mix and Match Ephemera Pack, which was stamped using the Simply Said stamps.

Here's what the clock said when I pressed stop. To be fair, I did not count the time I spent choosing the elements from the Mix and Match Ephemera Packs since to me it was the equivalent of browsing the stamp set shelf or the embossing folder box to select things.

The Design Team would love to see what you can cook up in ten minutes or less and to see the tricks and tips you use to save time. Visit the As You See It Challenge page to see what the rest of the team have done and to link up your own entry. You can play along with us until Wednesday 19 June, 11.59pm PST.

If you live in New Zealand and don't have a Stampin' Up Demonstrator, I'd love to be yours. I can help you with ideas, get you catalogues and provide you with Stampin' Up products. You can leave a message in the comments or contact me using any of the methods listed in the Contact Me tab at the top of the page. 

You can shop with me from  anywhere in New Zealand here.

The latest Step-by-Step Class

Join my friend Joanne Jame (The Crafty Owl) and I in a Step-by-Step Class for four beautiful projects. Simply purchase the Thoughtful Wishes Bundle and Thoughtful Journey DSP from either of us and we'll send you the PDF. 

If you already have these products but would like the class, simply order products of corresponding value from us, let us know that's what you've done and we'll send you the class. If you live in NZ, you can buy from me anywhere in the country here.