PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE #204 - Christmas in July

While some of you may be experiencing a heat wave, the gals over at the Paper Girls Challenge Blog is already thinking about Christmas! Christmas in July is this week's challenge. Grab those new papers that are coming out (like Authentique Paper's Magical Christmas!!) and those amazing stamps and dies, and create something that is Christmas-themed. Don't want to think ahead... Scrap those pictures from last Christmas that you haven't even looked at yet!

For this card, I started with the Mama Elephant Slimline Basic die set. I love slimline cards (if you've seen the past few projects, you'll totally understand my obsession!!), and this die set is fabulous for creating easy-peasy slimline cards.

I also used the NEW Diamond Press Believe in Magic #247188 stamp and die set. I colored all of the stamped images with my Chameleon markers, then backed it all with the wonderful NEW Authentique Paper A Magical Christmas (Four). Pin It

PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE #197 Florals

For this fabulous Paper Girls Challenge of Florals, I didn't have to go too far to find some flowers. Since I added a few things to my Capsule Crafting collection, I had a wonderful project just ready to share.

This project uses the Concord and 9th Wonderful Florals stamp and die set, colored with Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers, Stamp Market Color Crush paper, and a We R Memory Keepers Next Level Embossing Folder. 

Check out more information on how I compiled my Capsule Crafting Collection based on Kristina Werner's Capsule Crafting list.

We want to encourage all of our challenge participants to refer our rules and prize structure here: http://thepapergirlschallenge.blogspot.com/p/how-to-play.html. 

Also, follow us on Instagram for more chances to win! For this challenge use #PGCBchallenge197 and tag us @papergirlschallengeblog for an extra entry.

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Challenge #192 - Winter Color Challenge

Hello! Heather here, and I'm so glad that I can share with you today's challenge. I love creating based off of color palettes and images. It's a great way to challenge yourself to use materials or items you normally wouldn't use, create during a rut, or just use up what you have.

Today challenge is all about winter colors, snowflakes, silver, and texture. Or not! It's all about how YOU read the color palette, the reference image, or both! Create something that is inspired by this image and/or color palette.

Heather

For this project, I combined both the image AND the color palette to create this card. I knew that I wanted to emphasize the texture of this card, so I started by embossing the dark blue cardstock with silver embossing powder. Once that was complete, I die cut the embossed piece, the snowflakes and the sentiment. Once this was complete, I added the burlap ribbon, glued down all of the pieces, and added an enamel dot for interest.

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ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING PART OF THE PAPER GIRL CHALLENGE BLOG?

We have spots open on the Design Team for you!

If you are interested in joining a fun team with flexible commitments
(once or twice a month project, and $20 a year donation for follower prizes) 
you can apply now to become a PaperGirl!

To apply just send an email to papergirlschallengeblog@gmail.com 

Deadline is the end of January 2020.
We thank all who apply, and new members will be contacted.

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We want to encourage all of our challenge participants to refer our rules and prize structure here: http://thepapergirlschallenge.blogspot.com/p/how-to-play.html. 

Also, follow us on Instagram for more chances to win! For this challenge use #PGCBchallenge192 and tag us @papergirlschallengeblog for an extra entry.

Go to the BLOG: http://thepapergirlschallenge.blogspot.com

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PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE BLOG: Challenge #191: NEW!

I got a few new stamp and die sets during a few of the sales that were going on during the holiday season, and finally got some time to play with some of them. Here is my card using the Stamp Market Color Me Happy Stamp Bundle and some new (but an older collection) paper from Felicity Jane.

Are you interested in playing along with us? We are looking for some new members! 

Design Team Call:

If you are interested in joining a fun team with flexible commitments
(once or twice a month project, and $20 a year donation for follower prizes) 
you can apply now to become a PaperGirl!

To apply just send an email to papergirlschallengeblog@gmail.com 

Deadline is the end of January 2020.
We thank all who apply, and new members will be contacted.

We want to encourage all of our challenge participants to refer our rules and prize structure here: http://thepapergirlschallenge.blogspot.com/p/how-to-play.html. 

Also, follow us on Instagram for more chances to win! For this challenge use #PGCBchallenge191 and tag us @papergirlschallengeblog for an extra entry.

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Paper Girls Challenge #188 - Family

Good Morning! Heather here, and we have a great challenge on the Paper Girls Challenge Blog. Today's challenge is all about Family! Whether it's a card like mine, a tag mini album (I have some ideas!!), a layout, or any other sort of project, it's time to celebrate the people that matter most.

Check out more at the Paper Girls Challenge Blog, and join us in this fun challenge. Today's project uses all Felicity Jane products, including pieces from the Rebekah (paper and embellishments) and Harper (stamp only) Collections. Dies are all Lawn Fawn (Stitched Rectangles, Stitched Scalloped Rectangles) Pin It

PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE BLOG #184: Anything Goes! & a Taylored Expressions Blender Brush Review

The Paper Girls Challenge Blog is having one of the best challenges ever. Anything Goes! Yup! That means, make anything you want, and share with us. It's a total free-for-all, and I love that, because I was able to have a bit of fun testing out my new Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes and a great new stencil from Neat & Tangled. I also got to finally sit and play with my new Stampin' Up Inks

For the PGCB Challenge #184, I started with the Neat & Tangled Dimensional Triangles Stencil. I then took my Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes and my Stampin' Up Inks in the Classic Stampin' Pad Assortment In Color 2018-2020 and Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad.

From red - violet, I blended each color with the correct brush. To make the stencil stick more, I used a bit of spray adhesive to stick the stencil to the paper. I just used what I had, and it was a little TOO sticky... I've heard about the Pixie Spray, and I may try that later on instead.

Make sure to create something for the Paper Girls Challenge Blog! This challenge is Anything Goes, so ANY project that you are working on counts!!

Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes First Review

I got these fabulous brushes from a suggestion from a close friend. I had always loved ink blending, but hated the streaking I got from the foam blenders (from dye inks). I'm a bit of a crazy inker, so anything that would make my ideas actually happen the way I imagine is always welcome.

I pre-ordered the Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes last week when they released. Part of the offer was this little silicone scrubber. I haven't used it yet, BUT look how fabulously it fits in the center!! This was a genius bit of design. I love when tools and their extra pieces fit together seamlessly. This means I won't lose it. 

I loved how each color handle of the Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes will work with that color family. I know that the brush looks a little splotchy, but man did they work smoothly. The handles are flexible, which means that you can vary your pressure without worry that one part will be splotchy on your project. The blending was smooth no matter where I worked. And they were SO SOFT! I'm very happy with my purchase, and cannot wait to use them more and more.




Supplies Used:
Stampin' Up Inks: Blueberry Bushel, Pineapple Punch, Grapefruit Grove, Call Me Clover, Lovely Lipstick, Gorgeous Grape
Neat & Tangled Stencil: Dimensional Triangles
Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes
Taylored Expressions Die: Thanks Die Pin It

PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE BLOG #176: Your Favorite Drink

Good Morning from the Paper Girls Challenge!! It's May, and for most of us in the US, there are still a few weeks left of school. As a teacher, I am running on coffee. This challenge is PERFECT to share my love of everything java. For this challenge, create something that celebrates your love of beverages! It could be coffee, tea, orange juice, wine, you name it! Create a card, layout, or like my mini notebook below, something off the page.

Heather

Mini notebook (Heidi Swapp) with a few older stamps (Gossamer Blue - retired).

 Heather

 A simple stamped cup (Concord & 9th), watercolored in two different color combinations.

We want to encourage all of our challenge participants to refer our rules and prize structure here: http://thepapergirlschallenge.blogspot.com/p/how-to-play.html. 

Also, follow us on our new Instagram account for more chances to win! For this challenge use #PGCBchallenge176 and tag us @papergirlschallengeblog for an extra entry.

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PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE BLOG: Challenge #174 - Spring Color Inspiration

Today's Paper Girls Challenge is all about Spring! I chose to use the color palette to create a color block card using a die that I got awhile ago.

I die cut the heart multiple times, then paper pieced the pieces together in a spectrum order.

After that was complete, I used some matching paper for the background, embossing it with a WRMK Next Level Embossing Folder. This one was from a few years ago.

Popped the heart up on some dimensional adhesive, added a sentiment from an old A.muse stamp set, wound up some Hand and Hearth twine, and done. The little banner was just trimmed on the ends for detail.

Come play with all of us at the Paper Girls Challenge Blog!

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PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE BLOG: Challenge 171 - Pinspired Challenge

Hello! I love Pinspired challenges. For today's PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE BLOG - Challenge #171 we have a Pinspired challenge for you.

I pinned this image quite awhile ago. I just loved the geometric patterns, the color, and the makeup. I knew that once I figured out this challenge, that I would create something like the project I have for you below.

I knew how I would create a card that was similar to the Pinspired image above. I've had this die for quite awhile. For this card, I ended up using the die a total of six times, one for each color. Then, I placed in each piece in a random order.

 The sentiment used black paper and white embossing to mimic the eye makeup on the image.

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PGCB - Challenge #166 - Santa and his elves

I loved today's challenge for the Paper Girls Challenge Blog, Santa & his elves. I love Christmas. Seriously love Christmas. I love the lights, the smells, and of course the chocolate. Santa epitomizes Christmas to me, and I just love all of the cuteness that his elves can bring.

Crazy enough, I didn't have any images of of elves! So I looked online at the Silhouette Online Store for a few cut files. I liked a lot of them, but these adorable print and cut "stamps" from the Silhouette Online Store (#111379, #111949, #111952) stood out to me. I just loved the baked good aesthetic.

I colored these with my Prismacolor colored pencils to look like all of the characters from the movie "Elf". The paper is the Jingle Collection from Authentique Paper, and the stamp is from this year's Holly Collection by Felicity Jane Christmas Collection.

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PGCB 162: Halloween

Today the Paper Girls Challenge Blog are co-sponsoring a Halloween Challenge with Double Trouble Paper Crafting Challenge Blog as a double dare! Come create with us and make something Halloween related!

For today's card, I used some pieces of Authentique Paper's Nightfall Collection to create a quick and easy card with the scariest thing of all... GLITTER! The eyeballs are all from Doodlebug (I got them on clearance earlier this year and have been anxiously waiting to use them!).

We want to encourage all of our challenge participants to refer our rules and prize structure here: http://thepapergirlschallenge.blogspot.com/p/how-to-play.html. 

Also, follow us on our new Instagram account for more chances to win! For this challenge use #PGCBchallenge162 and tag us @papergirlschallengeblog for an extra entry.

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PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE #159 - Inspiration Photo

Hello! I wanted to share with you the fantastic challenge that the Paper Girls Challenge Blog has for you today.

This image was the inspiration for today's challenge:

Within this picture, I picked out the pinks, greens and blacks. I knew that I wanted to keep the background fairly neutral, so chose to use the green as a backing color, with kraft as the paper the stamp is stamped onto. Instead of using embossing powder (okay, I really just couldn't find my gold powder...) I used some Perfect Pearls after stamping my Hello Lovely (Concord & 9th) stamp with Versamark ink. 

Once this was stamped, I added color with my Jack Richeson Collegiate watercolor paints in metallics. Lastly, stamped and used Perfect Pearls for the sentiment, and the card was complete. 

Come visit the Paper Girls Challenge Blog for more information on this weeks challenge and play along with us!

Supplies Used:

Hello Lovely stamp (Concord & 9th),  Perfect Pearls, Versamark, Jack Richeson Collegiate watercolor paints,  cardstock (assorted)

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PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE BLOG: Challenge #158 - Summer Sweet Treats

For this challenge, I've been saving this super adorable stamp set from Avery Elle. I watercolored each of the images with bright colors, and paired each of the images with some fun things from my stash.

I love using things from my stash, and adding stamped and colored images along with those is an easy way to create fun and easy cards.

The last touches I added were clear gems, Clear Sparkle pen (Spectrum Noir) on the ice cream, and some glossy accents on the popsicle.

Supplies Used:

Sweetest stamps (Avery Elle), Perfectly Plaid - Spring (Lawn Fawn), Party Collection (Authentique Paper), Clear Sparkle pen (Spectrum Noir), Birthday card (Elle's Studio), Clear Droplets (Pretty Pink Posh), Peerless Watercolors, stash items, Glossy Accents

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PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE BLOG 154: Bicycles

Hello! I just started Summer Vacation, and loved the challenge of Bicycles for this week's Paper Girls Challenge 154! 

I knew that I had the cutest bicycle stamp from American Crafts. This is from their Peachy Keen collection from 2011! I couldn't find a good purchasing link, but I know that there are bits and pieces in various places. The papers are all retired as well, from the Sidewalks collection from October Afternoon.

 Make sure you come and play with us with our current challenge!!

Products:
Peachy Keen stamp (American Crafts), cardstock (Core'dinations), ribbons, embellishments (Prima) Pin It

PGCB: Challenge #153 - Woodland Creatures

I started by using my Distress Inks and a pair of Neat and Tangled stencils. I then added a cute set of woodland creatures from the Into the Woods Lawn Fawn stamps, colored with Dual Brush Pens by Tombow. The sentiments were from the set, and were perfect for a hello card.

Supplies Used: Duo Trees Stencils (Neat & Tangled), Into the Woods stamps and dies (Lawn Fawn), Dual Brush Pens (Tombow), inks (Distress Inks), patterned paper (Authentique), kraft paper (Neenah Mohawk), Silhouette Cameo, grass Silhouette cut, Versafine ink

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Paper Girls Challenge #152 - Shapes

I LOVED this challenge from the Paper Girls Challenge Blog! I wanted to use a fun cut file, or cool shaped paper to create something. Once I saw this llama card, I knew I just HAD to use the llama to make my own shaped creation!

To make the back of this card, I just measured the thinnest part of the llama, and doubled some cardstock. The cut image of the llama hides the tiniest of card bases. This could also double as a stand if your recipient wanted to use this as a decor piece.

Supplies Used: Silhouette Cut File, Authentique Paper (Artisan linen cardstocks, Micro Basics) Pin It

Paper Girls Challenge #149: Masculine Birthday

Hello! Today's Paper Girls Challenge is all about Masculine Birthday cards and projects. Not surprising to many, making masculine cards is sometimes a challenge. Since I have two little girls, a TON of my paper and embellishments are pretty girly. For this challenge, I wanted to challenge myself by NOT using patterned paper, and instead use a few things that would imply masculinity, without be overtly obvious. My card today I think was a good mix of color and small details that create a pretty neat project.

I started with a simple kraft cardstock background and crackled, colored cardstock. I have had the Tim Holtz Soda Bottle Blueprint Rubber Stamp (got on clearance at Hobby Lobby) for about a year now, and this was the perfect time to start using it. I used a Memento Dew Drop in Nautical Blue for the ink, then colored the star with a silver colored pencil. The last few details were a Stampin Up stamp from a long time ago with some silver embossing powder, a few enamel shapes and a touch of Wink of Stella glitter pen in a few areas.

Items Used:
kraft cardstock (Neenah cardstock), blue cardstock (Tim Holtz Distress Core'dinations), Tim Holtz Soda Bottle Blueprint Rubber Stamp, Memento Dew Drop (Nautical Blue), Prismacolor colored pencil (Silver), Wink of Stella, enamel shapes Pin It

Paper Girls Challenge #148: Embossing

The Paper Girls Challenge Blog is all about embossing this week. Dry embossing, heat embossing, you name it, it will work. For today's challenge, I finally got out my Topography stamp set from Neat and Tangled. I loved the possibilities with this, especially with my watercolors. The watercolors are the wonderfully opaque Kuretake Gansai Tambi paints. They are simply delicious.

I love the sentiment. And the melon color of the cardstock picks up the very color from in the painted card. Make sure to check out the challenge, and add your own project! Pin It

PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE BLOG: Challenge #147 - Travel

Good Morning! Today I am sharing with you a fantastic card that I created with some older products. I love using materials I have on hand, as getting to the craft store seems to be more difficult lately with a crazy schedule and so much to do.  For today's Paper Girls Challenge Blog project, we are focusing on Travel. I chose to take this in the direction of a travel card using Authentique's Explore Collection and Lawn Fawn stamps and matching dies, colored with Chameleon Markers.

I loved the little pops of violet throughout the card. I purchased the stamps forever ago, but only got the dies fairly recently. This was a great way to reuse those items I got so long ago. The Diamond Press made the small dies so easy to cut out.

Supplies Used:
Authentique Paper (Explore Collection kit: Ten, Eleven, Details, Components die cuts), Lawn Fawn: (Happy Trails stamps and Happy Trails Lawn Cuts dies), Chameleon Pens, Versafine ink, Neenah Solar White paper, Diamond Press die cut machine Pin It

PAPER GIRLS CHALLENGE BLOG: Challenge #146 - Black & White

Today on the Paper Girls Challenge Blog is our fantastic challenge #146, using only Black and White. I adore challenges. I love re-imagining how I can use up my materials in different ways to  create fun new things. I'm often inspired by techniques that I see online, especially YouTube. My favorites are Kristina Werner and Jennifer McQuire. Both ladies are uber-talented, and have so many ideas.

I was watching one of Kristina's videos, when I realized I had everything I needed to recreate my version of her project using supplies I had on hand.

Concord and 9th is one of my current obsessions. I adore almost everything they come up with, and I'm pretty picky, so that's saying a lot. One of my favorite stamps that I love trying to play with in different ways is their Hello Lovely stamp set. I really love that depending on how you use it, it takes on completely new levels of complexity.

This is pretty simple, and came together rather quickly. Use an embossing buddy, or some sort of prep powder for this, as you really do not want any stray white powder on the black paper. Then with Versamark and your favorite white embossing powder, heat emboss the image. Then use the white gouache paint to create areas of lights and darks in the embossed image. Let dry, and finish with a sentiment. That's it!

Check out the blog for our PG Challenge #146 - Black and White and share with us your new creation! We have quarterly prizes and would love to see you create with us.

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After creating this, I also realized that it would also fit the Concord and 9th challenge blog, Where Creativity Meets C9 challenge for Watercolors. Enjoy!

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