Happy News and Giant Flowers Petal Box

Happy Sunday, my sparkly friends! I hope you're having a sunshiny weekend. :o)

I have exciting news and a petal box to share! I am thrilled to be featured today for the incredible Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog's Spotlight Sunday! Not only that, but I'll also be posting a new project tomorrow as a Guest Designer for their next challenge. I confess to happy dancing about these honors. :o) If you want to read a tiny bit about yours truly, pirouette on over to Tammy's spotlight post. :o)

Inspired by a few flowery and girly challenges, I made my mom a petal box this weekend, featuring the rose from the Giant Flowers cartridge. This cart is fantastic. I previously made the lotus (which I loved), but I think I adore this rose even more.

(Do you like this amazing angle I chose to photograph it? I know, I know... but I was mega rushed.)

Over the next few weeks I will be making a set of cards to stash inside the box for her to send friends and family. While she has varying styles, she most often gravitates to feminine flair. The Art Philosophy petal box is made with Echo Park Yours Truly paper, chosen for it's whimsical elegance and gorgeous shade of red. The rose is created with Core'dinations cardstock, as I love my paper flowers to have texture. The edges are trimmed in Star Dust, sporadic petals have dew drops via Glossy Accents, and a sparkling white butterfly was lured for a visit. When assembling the outermost rows of petals, I decided to use a pencil to gently curl the edges instead of folding/creasing them. I like it much better and will go the pencil route for all petals next time.

To make the rose stand out, I opted for the striking red and black combination. I made a narrow band of black cardstock to go around the entire box, adhered a layer of black lace on either side along the top and sides, and formed two rhinestone flourishes. I was tempted to do more in terms of decoration, but refrained since the band will be handled whenever she wants to use or look at one of the cards. I hope she likes it. :o)

Challenges entered:
 * Bitten by the Bug 2~ Rose
 * Craft Your Passion~ Anything Goes
 * Crafty Ann's~ It's a Girl Thing
 * Crafty Calendar~ Flowers in Bloom
 * Simon Says Stamp and Show~ Anything Goes

Thank you for fluttering on by! You give me warm fuzzies. I'll be back tomorrow with my Guest Designer creation, which turned out to be one of my personal favorites. :o)

Key Recipe Components:
 * Cricut cartridges: Art Philosophy, Giant Flowers
 * Paper: Core'dinations, Echo Park
 * Rhinestones: Recollections and Queen & Company
 * Butterfly punch: Fiskars
 * Miscellaneous: Lace (from stash); Stickles