JAI #149 : IT'S A "BIG SHOT" BLOG HOP!!

To kick off the year of challenges, the Just Add Ink Design Team have a fun Blog Hop for you to check out today, to get ideas on how to use the Big Shot.  The Big Shot is a fabulous die-cutting and embossing machine, that I just wouldn't be without (I lent mine to a friend for one day, once, and felt totally lost without it!).

You may have come here from the blog of my super-talented friend Nikki Spencer, but if not you'll get to see her gorgeous work as you make your way around the loop today.

My first Big Shot project is a little gift card holder, using Stampin' Up!'s Petite Pocket die.  This would be a great little project if you're in the habit of giving a reward to one of your kids who has achieved good academic results.  My boys get a hug, a pat on the back, and a "well done", but you never know - I might just use this myself!  I used my Big Shot to die-cut the pocket, and to emboss the pocket and the punched label.  Here's what I made:

..... and a photo of the little pocket, without the gift card inside:

 Stamps: Patterned Occasions (Sale-A-Bration set)

Card: Brushed Silver, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White

DSP: Midnight Muse Designer Series Paper

Ink: Midnight Muse and Riding Hood Red stampin' pads

Other: Square Lattice embossing folder, Petite Pocket die, Midnight Muse stitched satin ribbon, XL Oval punch, Decorative Label punch, silver mini brad, stampin' dimensionals, sponge dauber, sticky strip, glue dots

There are so many things you can do with the Big Shot, and I couldn't just stop at one project.  I've also made a card, as I wanted to use some of the super-cute hearts I had cut out, using my Fashionable Hearts embosslits from Stampin' Up!  I love embosslits, as they die-cut shapes, and emboss them with a pattern, all at once - brilliant!  (It's the simple pleasures!)  This card started off with the 'quilted' background, created with gorgeous Floral District DSP, punched out uing my Postage Stamp punch.  My trusty Stampin' Up! Color Coach suggested that I use Primrose Petals, Baja Breeze and So Saffron together.  The stamp I've used on this card is another sneak peek of a freebie you can earn during Sale-A-Bration, which starts on 22nd January.  Cute stamps, I tell you!

Stamps: Patterned Occasions (Sale-A-Bration)

Card: Naturals White, So Saffron,, Baja Breeze, Primrose Petals

DSP: Floral District Designer Series Paper

Ink: Baja Breeze stampin' pad, Primrose Petals marker, So Saffron stampin' pad and marker

Other: Postage Stamp punch, Fashionable Hearts embosslits, Decorative Label punch, Primrose Petals stitched satin ribbon, Finishing Touches edgelits, stampin' dimensionals, glue dots, sponge dauber

Now it's time to see the great project that Tina Gillespie has created.  If you click on the picture below, you'll be taken to Tina's blog.  We hope you'll visit all 11 blogs, of our Design Team members - there's heaps to see!  We would love you to link up your own creations using the Big Shot, or other die-cutting/embossing machine.

Thanks for visiting, and don't forget to play along once you've seen all the Design Team projects!