Category Archives: Challenges

the little things

Posted on September 7, 2011 | 5 comments

I needed to make a baby girl card to go with a gift and today’s rainy morning seemed like the perfect time. With the kids back in school, it also seemed like a fabulous time to get back to creating for some challenges. I love a good challenge.

I’m playing along with at Splitcoaststampers.com with the sketch and technique challenges. The patterned paper is sanded to give it a distressed look and also lighten the intensity of the color.

 

Supplies:Kraft cardstock by Bazzill, Happily Lost 6×6 paper pad by Lily Bee Design, Picket Fence 6×6 paper pad by Lily Bee Design, Delight in the Little Things Itty Bitty stamp set by Unity, flower by Prima, lace stickers by Basic Grey, Pearl Trinket Pins by Maya road, twine, Tiny Attacher by Advantus, Rose Bud Memento Ink by Tsukineko, Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger, white Ledger transparency by Maya Road, Tiger Lily Glimmer Mist and Starfish Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels, sanding block by Advantus

Enjoy your day!

5 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Challenges, Lily Bee

merci

Posted on August 8, 2011 | 10 comments

I took a little break today from my to do list to just have some creative time for me. Some times when I just want to create I sit down and just play. Other times, like today, I turn to a challenge or two for inspiration. My favorite places to go for a challenge? Splitcoaststampers.com has been a long-time favorite and over the past year, Cath at Moxie Fab World has the most fabulous challenges that I always want to play along with. Today I decided to combine the two. SCS has a reverse masking technique challenge and once again I’m squeaking in at the last minute to play along with the MFW Botanical challenge. There’s still time to play along here.

I’ve always adore botanicals. It’s a style that suits me to a “t”. I love to collage the images together and add ink for a vintage feel.

To add in reverse masking for the TLC challenge, I’ve put a die cut doily onto the background and sponged ink around it leaving the reverse image of the doily.

Supplies: Carte Postale Stamp Set by Unity, Heartfelt Sentiments stamp set by Unity,  Old Letter Writing Background stamp by Hero Arts, Antique Linen Distress Ink by Ranger, leaves by Prima, Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger, Tumbled Glass Distress Ink by Ranger, Shabby Shutters Distress ink by Ranger, Leaf Trinket Pins by Maya road, Tiny Attacher by Advantus, twine, glass embellishment by Prima, kraft cardstock by Bazzill, Solar White Cardstock by Neenah

Thanks for stopping by!

10 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Challenges

krazy for kraft

Posted on August 4, 2011 | 10 comments

While I have a few colors of cardstock in my stash, for the most part, I only use two colors of cardstock. I’m not even sure you can even really call them colours as they are more just neutrals. What are they? Plain white cardstock and my favourite, Kraft cardstock. Prehaps the thing I love most about Kraft is how flexible it is. It’s not too dark or too light. It goes with everything. Kraft can be dressed up or down to look casual or elegant. I {adore} this humble cardstock.

Kraft Thank You

Kraft always looks amazing stamped in white pigment ink so for today’s card, I’ve done some simple stamping with some beautiful stamps. You’ll also find a kraft journaling die cut and a kraft colored chipboard bird. It’s a laser cut chipboard piece by Magenta that is so pretty.

Supplies: Kraft Cardstock by Bazzill, chipboard birds by Magenta, sewing machine, Cling Classic Fabric Design stamp,  Cling Circle Design and Cling Daisy Label by Hero Arts, velvet flower by Maya Road, twine, Leaf Trinket Pins by Maya Road, epoxy button by K & Company, fabric leaves by Prima, 5th Avenue chipboard accents by Melissa Frances, Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger, White Colorbox Pigment Ink by Clearsnap, Kraft Scroll Frame Journaling Tags by Maya Road

Happy stamping!

10 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Challenges, Hero Arts

sew. what’s new?

Posted on June 19, 2011 | 10 comments

sew.

what’s new?

Nothing much new in my life…just enjoying some summer weather finally. Lake days are the best.

Today I’m “sew excited” to share a card for the latest Moxie Fab World challenge. The I’m Sew Excited Challenge. With a love of sewing, how COULD I resist?!

Want to play along? There’s still time if you hurry!

This challenge focuses on sewing icons rather than the stitching itself. Think buttons, patterns, dress forms, machines, spools…etc. etc. etc. Here’s what I’ve used…

Sewing icons…

  • tissue sewing pattern
  • pin cushion image
  • sewing machine image
  • vintage button
  • measuring tape (Tim Holtz Ruler Ribbon)
  • chipboard scissors

I’ve also added in some machine stitching as every sewing themed project needs a little of that, right? Lastly the wide Light Teal ribbon is cut with pinking shears from my sewing box.

To create my image, I’ve used two distinct stamps. A sweet little sewing machine and a pincushion from the Hero Arts Sew Artsy stamp set. The pin cushion was stamped first as it is in the foreground. It was then masked with Eclipse  Tape and then the sewing machine was stamped. Love how they look together.

Quick Tip: Sewing tissue is really thin so folding it a few times before stitching it on adds more depth to the color of the layer.

Supplies: sewing pattern tissue, sewing machine, Sew Artsy  stamp set by Hero Arts, white cardstock by Bazzill, Copic Markers, Turquoise Leaf Trinket Pins by Maya Road, Vintage Button by Jenni Bowlin, Ruler Ribbon by Tim Holtz, Sew Cute Mini Chipboard Set by Maya Road, Tuxedo Black Memento Ink by Tsukineko, embroidery floss by DMC,

Hope your day is “sew” special!

 

10 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Challenges, Copics, Hero Arts

mother’s day & sewing tissue

Posted on April 26, 2011 | 12 comments

Since Easter is officially over, the next big cardmaking event is Mother’s Day. It’s a bit of a bittersweet day for me as I miss my mom. My MIL is super sweet so I’m glad she is in our lives and it’s kind of nice having a day for me. I love having the day off cooking!!!!

Here’s a fun card  I made for my Mother-in-Law. I think she’ll like it. It uses my Picket Fence line and she was as excited as I was to see it come out. I just had to make a sewing pattern flower for her as she made clothes for all 5 of her children as they grew up. It amazes me! I’ve been crazy for using tissue paper from old sewing patterns lately. I actually made this card weeks ago and was saving it for closer to Mother’ Day to share. Don’t you love working ahead?

As it turns out, the latest challenge on Moxie Fab World is a tissue paper one. How is that for perfect timing?! Check it out… the Tissue Paper Magic Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. Whew! That’s quite the long winded title Cath!

As you can see, I’m still head over heels for the Tattered Florals die. It’s just so versatile that I never put it away. I’ve die cut felt, canvas, paper, tissue paper, fabric….the possibilities are endless!

Do you have a favorite die that you love?

Supplies: white cardstock by Bazzill, Picket Fence line patterned paper by Lily Bee Design, Tattered Florals Die by Sizzix, letter stickers by Jillibean Soup, flower center by Prima, twine, Green Leaf Trinket Pin by Maya Road, Diamond Lace Edger Punch by EK Success

Happy creating!

 

12 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Challenges, Lily Bee

Carpe Diem

Posted on April 7, 2011 | 21 comments

Anyone up for a challenge?

I’m excited to be back guest hostessing for the Ways to Use it Challenge. My sweet friend Kim Hughes is off on her honeymoon. Congrats Kim!

Feel like creating today? Why not join us here for a fun challenge?

So actually, it’s my birthday today. I’ve stopped counting now so don’t ask. 😉 Things have gotten a little behind as I’ve been so busy the past few weeks. It’s a good thing but I ended up having to whip this up this morning. Creating is a great way to start your special day, don’t you think? I thought today would be a great day to…

Seize the Day

Just a few days ago I finally got my new Picket Fence line stamps in the mail. Yay! So this is my very first card using them and they stamped great! They are paired up with the 6×6 papd pad and stickers from the same line.

To make this card work for the challenge, I decided to layer the sticker banner onto some white cardstock and then cut out a border with my pinking shears. They are the only decorative edge scissors I have left. I love them but after using them so much for paper, I really have to wonder if they are still going to cut fabric. I may have to splurge on another pair! I’ve really been inspired lately to start sewing again. It’s been a while and I miss it!

Supplies: twine, Picket Fence 6×6 paper pad, Picket Fence stickers and Picket Fence stamps by Lily Bee Design, Tiny Attacher by Advantus, white cardstock by Bazzill, Leaf Trinket Pins by Maya Road, Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink and Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger

Have a fabulous day!

21 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Challenges, Lily Bee

The Beautiful Butterfly

Posted on January 13, 2011 | 7 comments

Butterflies are such beautiful & timeless images. They symbolize hope and new beginnings. Is it any wonder we love them?

Today I’m back with a challenge for you to create with them. Yes, I’m back hostessing the Ways to Use It Challenge but just for this week. I’m a guest hostess as Kim is off spending time with her guy. Have fun Kim!

Feel like a challenge? I hope you’ll join me here.

This stunning classic butterfly is from the Hero Arts Antique Engravings stamp set. There are two sets by that name but this one is CL383 if you’re looking for it.

Some of my favorite stamping techniques are the easiest ones. The ones that always turn out and are quick to do. Colored pencils on kraft adds such a soft and pretty look and you don’t need to be an expert colorer to pull it off. I didn’t even use fancy pencils for this one but just rummaged around in a bin of pencils I keep for the children.

Supplies: kraft cardstock by Bazzill, Paper Girl line patterned paper by The Girls’ Paperie, sewing machine, colored pencils, trim by Webster’s Pages, Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger, Antique Engravings stamp set by Hero Arts, chipboard frame and pins by Maya road, Snow Cap paint dabber by Ranger, embossing folder by Cuttlebug

Thanks for stopping by!

7 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Challenges, Hero Arts