Global Design Project #94 and a Personal Celebration.

I was having a break from these challenges recently as I had so much on with the new catalogue launch, but I started again last week, and am at it again today.

The challenges chance each week, last week was a Colour Challenge, this week is a sketch challenge and this is my entry:

The Sketch we were given is this:CHANGE HTML

I have not followed the lines in the strictest sense, using rows of hearts instead, but I think it still follows the brief, particularly as it is meant to be a jumping off point only. I wanted to add something along the inside edge of the card, so die cut some of the small ribbons and stuck them in a row on the right hand side.

This is the first time I have used the Ribbon of Courage Bundle, I seem to have been saving it for a special day. Today is that day, well nearly. 4th July is a celebration for many people, but for me it has a couple of very personal reasons to celebrate. Firstly, today marks 25 years since my husband and I became an 'item', it also marks 5 years since I received some news that changed my life.

It was 4th July 2012 that I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I can remember the meeting to this day and the feeling that my world had come to a stop, the fact that it fell on our 20th anniversary seemed to just put the tin lid on the whole event. BUT, I am still here and well. The whole of my 'journey' (and I really need a different word for that) has been one of looking on the positive, and there are many:

1. My life was put into perspective, and although it is cliched, I did suddenly realise that there is more to life than working all the hours there are.
2. We made a decision to move from West London to Oxfordshire, something we had procrastinated about for almost the whole time we have been together.
3. I have taken early retirement from a stupidly stressful and serious job in The City to follow my dream of running my own Papercraft Business.
4. As a result of joining Stampin' Up! I have rekindled my creativity, met some fantastic, supportive people and been given some opportunities I would never have thought possible.
5. I am happier than I have been for a very long time.

All this from the crap that is a Cancer diagnosis, so how can I possibly see that as anything other than a positive. I am very aware that I am one of the lucky ones, and pray every day that I will continue to be so, and my heart goes out to those who have been less fortunate, too many of whom I know well.

So today really is a perfect day for me to break out my Ribbon of Courage Bundle. 

Want to make this fantastic card too? Hop over to my online store and get the items you need to do so delivered to your door. During July I am running a Prize Draw to win two of the Hostess Sets, Tranquil Tulips AND Dare To Dream. These are usually only available if your order is over £150, but you can get an entry into the draw to win these for EVERY £25 you spend in my Online Store. Stampin' Up! are also running their Bonus Days event. For every £45 you spend in my store during July, you will get a code that gives you £4.50 to spend in August! Go on, you know you want to!!!

ONLINE STORE

If your order is over £25 (plus P&P), please use the Hostess Code:

633BQMVY

To share in the Hostess Rewards for this month AND become a VIP. If your order is over £150 (plus P&P), please don't use the Hostess Code as you will get to pick your own rewards, but don't worry, you will still become a VIP Reward Member.

The Starter Kit is ALWAYS great value just £99 for your choice of £130 of products (with no additional P&P), but throughout July you get EVEN MORE. In addition to your choice of £130 of products, you will receive an Essentials Kit and the Carols of Christmas Stamp Set – total value £65. The Essentials Kit includes 2 x D Blocks, Grid Paper, Paper Snips, SNAIL Adhesive and a Bone Folder. All in all making this the PERFECT time to:

JOIN MY TEAM

Dimensions:

Card base – A5 folded in half to make an A6 base

Mat – 5-5/8 x 3-7/8” (14.5 x 9.75cm)

Stamping Mat – 5-1/2 x 3-3/4” (9 x 10.25cm)

Scraps of Cardstock