multi-tasking giftcard holder

i am not a person who can easily approach a WHOLE BUNCH of challenges with one project, but every once in a while i'm able to find two or three i think will mesh pretty well, and it's always a bit extra fun to combine them.

this time i've had a go at city crafter's "pretty inside and out" (week #92)... for which we're asked to create a card on which the decoration is not merely exterior; as it happens, that's something i don't do nearly enough, so of course i was inspired!

as i was thinking up what exactly to do, i happened to see this fabulous palette for EAD designs' current color challenge (#20) on my pal amy's blog (she's actually the hostess for this!) and at stef's AND also miss gina's; needless to say, they all made amazing cards!

in the meantime, i realized i needed a giftcard holder... like... YESTERDAY! once again, the amazing amy t. was came to my rescue, with this great idea and mini tutorial i found on her blog a while ago; it was super easy to follow, and i'm quite happy with the results.

so here is the outside:

and here is the (hopefully) equally lovely inside:

in retrospect, i wish i had only used the basic grey "sultry" paper on the inside, and something plain (or at least plainer) on the outside; i think the floral pattern's a bit much as a base... but there ya go... sometimes you have time for a "re-do" and sometimes not. at least i have the comfort of knowing for sure my friend jax will not receive TWO of these babies! :) :) :)

plus i've slipped a saladworks giftcard and some bling inside... and added a ghirardelli chocolate bar and super-fun cupcake-shaped lip gloss on the outside... so i think i can skate by. happy thursday, darlings! ♥