Welcome to the latest Inspiration Hop from Around the World on Wednesday. In case you haven't visited us before, we hop on the second Wednesday of the month, with a theme to inspire you in your craft rooms. We're 'Around the World' because the team includes people from all the markets Stampin' Up! is available in. I'm here in New Zealand then there's people from Australia, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Canada and the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii).
The theme for this month's hop is "10 in 30". Now, I like a speed challenge as much, and probably more, than most but this one almost got the better of me! Usually, I can't do ONE card in 30 minutes, so how on earth was I going to manage TEN in 30 minutes?!!
Well, with the help of Stamparatus, Stampin' Seal, some very careful planning, and a pinch of luck, I managed it... but I have more to say on this at the end of this post. 😀
Here are the 10 in 30: a simple Christmas card made using Festive Foliage and Best Year stamp sets.
And a closer look....
As you can see, I was very close to running out of time!
You need only read the following if you would like to know how I managed it.
Fortunately, our blog instructions allowed us to cut card and prepare equipment before the 30 minutes began. It took me just shy of 12 minutes to cut:
*10 Shaded Spruce bases 21cm x 13.5cm and scored at 10.5cm
*10 Basic White 10cm x 13cm for the fronts
*10 Basic White 10cm x 13cm for the inside of the card
*10 strips of Metallic Mesh ribbon 13cm long
*Die cut 10 medallions from Silver Foil using Stitched So Sweetly dies
*Die cut 10 medallions from Basic White using Stitched So Sweetly dies for the sentiment
It took me about 3 minutes to set up Festive Foliage and Best Year on Stamparatus, ready to use.
So, I spent around 15 minutes getting set up, then went and had a cup of coffee before the sprint began.
I painted some of the foliage with Wink of Stella for sparkle and to give a faux water colour look. Without this step, I'd have easily made the time limit but I really wanted to include it and was prepared to sacrifice adding rhinestones to get it.
Another thing that speeded things up was using Stampin' Seal instead of glue for the ribbon and to attach the sentiments.
The rhinestones got thrown on in the final minute!
A Final Note
I stamped and assembled these cards just inside the 30 minute time limit. However, I really don't recommend trying it! This design is great for making multiples and is quick and easy. There's no need to make life hard by trying to complete it in 30 minutes. If you did the cutting, went away and had a cuppa, then came back and gave yourself 45 minutes, I think you'd easily get yourself a set of cards you'd be happy to send or give away, with much less stress.
I also like to decorate the inners and the 30 minute deadline didn't give me that luxury but 45 minutes would have.
Next up is the ever fabulous
Leonie Stuart in Australia. I'll bet she cooked up something wonderful with her 30 minutes!
Here's a blog roll of participants so that you can revisit, or find your way if you encounter a broken link.
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 by clicking on the SHOP NOW button in the sidebar or clicking on any of products below.
