Happy Anniversary - My Secret Shaker Card

Hello Everyone:

Well I've gone off the rails today, as you will see shortly. I decided to branch out from my shabby chic comfort zone and try a few new things. OK, I still threw a little shabby in the mix with my ribbon and flowers, but I gotta be me!

A while ago I picked up all these Spellbinder Grand die sets because they were on sale...never even took them out of the packages. So today I decided to try and put them to good use. I was inspired by a few challenges that I will tell you about afterwards, but here is what I came up with.

I just love the challenges over at The Shabby Tea Room. They always have the most beautiful inspiration photos, and this week was no different. Here is the photo they provided this week for the latest challenge.

The Shabby Tea Room - Week #233 - Celebrate

They also ask that the card have a celebration theme, using pink, flowers and a lace element. I decided to make this an anniversary card, I thought the colours would make it perfect for that occasion. I decided to use a gorgeous eyelet lace because it reminded me of the lace around the bottom of the candle. Doesn't the Spellbinders pattern match that candle tray almost perfectly!

Now, I show you where the Secret Shaker part of the card comes in. I was inspired by a couple of challenges to give this a try for the very first time. I really do like the fun of a shaker card!! I popped up the inner hearts with some pop dots and then placed some beads inside the hearts before placing the shaker panel over the top...this way, some of the beads are trapped inside the hearts. Kind of like a shaker within a shaker...ha!

- the flowers were cut out with Joy Crafts Flower 4 and coloured with Tim Holtz distress inks Antique Linen and Gathered Twigs, the layers were done with Spellbinders Grand - Circles, Stately Circles and Decorative Circles and coloured with Gathered Twigs and Spun Sugar.

- the layers are all rimmed with Ranger Perfect Pearls, Pearl and Bisque almost 500 pearl drops!!

- the flower stamp is La Blanche and was stamped with Ranger Archival ink Coffee. I had stamped the sentiment with a Studio G alphabet stamp set, which is why it's a little bit crooked...oops!

I am also entering my Anniversary Secret Shaker card into the following inspiring challenges:

- City Crafter Challenge Blog - Week #226 - Shake It Up

- Sentimental Sundays - Challenge #221 - Shaker Cards

- Charisma Cardz Challenges - #18 - Wedding Anniversary

- Kort O' Mania - Challenge #113 - Layers

- Shopping Our Stash - Challenge #166 - ABC's

(they asked we use something that starts with A, B & C - mine are Acetate, Blossoms & Circles - how fun is that!!)

That's it for today. Thank you for stopping in and for all the amazing comments. I read and appreciate every single one! If you have any questions, please let me know.