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 #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

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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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 #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 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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Paper Girls Challenge Blog: Pumpkin Spice

Total honesty here... I'm not all about that pumpkin spice business. I'd much rather have a chai latte over a pumpkin spiced anything, anyday. However, pumpkin spice is an ingredient in Ooey Gooey Pumpkin Bars, and I LOVE those things! Today's card is just for fun. I knew exactly what I wanted to create when I saw this challenge, a shaped card.

Today's card uses all Authentique papers, some twine and a sentiment. What reminds you of Pumpkin Spice? Head on over to the Paper Girls Challenge Blog and enter in your Pumpkin Spice Challenge image!

Supplies Used: Authentique Paper (Bountiful Collection, Artisan Cardstock, Spectrum Series: Antique Lace), Silhouette Design Store #151232, Lawn Fawn (Love You a Latte), Twinery Twine: Mandarin, ink Pin It

Paper Girls Challenge Blog: Labor Day

Happy Labor Day everyone! Since I'm a teacher, Labor Day has a special significance in my career. It signifies that the school year has started, and summer is now over. In my little house, we have a new school-ager, and we once again have our favorite kindergarten teacher. This card is for her.

I used a fantastic little owl card by Jennifer Rush. I really loved how cute she was. And the apple!!!! I used a combination of scraps from my scrap bin, and a few bits and pieces of the Bountiful Collection from Authentique. I know that there are little bits of pieces from Elle's Studio and Studio Calico, but I've no idea what line anymore. The stamp is also from Studio Calico.

Make sure that you check out the Paper Girls Challenge Blog and participate in your own version of our Labor Day Challenge! Pin It

Lawnscaping Challenge No. 88: Texture Anyone?

I really loved this challenge... I had made a similar card (Popping Up to Say Get Well Soon), but wanted to really change it up and incorporate the fun texture idea of this week's Lawnscaping Challenge No. 88: Texture Anyone?

I started by recreating the same folded card, that was then cut using the Stitched Party Banner Lawn Cuts. This time, I really wanted the banner holes cut, so didn't put anything between the two layers. I then inked up my Darice woodgrain embossing folder and then ran the card through my die cut machine. Stamped up the Fox from my LF Into the Woods set, and colored using Spectrum Noir pens. I fussy cut and then attached it to the stitched circle.

I then took some of the Into the Woods paper (Sycamore), and die cut the Scripty Hello Lawn Cut. I then used my Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker to attach it. I then sprinkled some Lawn Ornaments all over the card, and tied it together with twine.

See how running the ink pad over the embossing folder, then running the entire thing gave it some amazing texture and shine?!?!?! I cannot remember where I saw this technique, but I love it!! If I can remember where I found it... Probably Jennifer McGuire or Kristina Werner. I tend to watch their videos late at night before I fall asleep.

Supplies:
Lawn Fawn: Into the Woods Stamp set, paper and Lawn Ornaments, Lawn Cuts (Scripty Hello & Stitched Party Banners)
Other Supplies: Mohawk Via Vellum (kraft), AC cardstock, Neenah Solar White Cover, Spectrum Noir pens, Xyron 1.5" sticker maker & Adhesive Dots, ImagineCrafts Delicata Ink (Golden Glitz) Pin It

UPDATED: August Shop Your Stash Kit

UPDATE: Check out THIS PAGE on how to "Shop Your Stash"!!

While I've been making stuff off and on this Spring, I realized that I wasn't using my Gossamer Blue Life Pages kits. Or crafting unless otherwise necessary or needed. I had lost my mojo. I've been working on a ton of stuff lately, including a TON of wedding decorations (post to come later!!)... But my poor GB LP kits have been sitting. And stacking up. So I cancelled them. They are gorgeous, amazing, as in, I am kicking myself that I won't have the new stuff... But the deal that I made with myself was that if I wasn't going to use my products in that month, I had to cancel. And I gave myself a bunch of leeway while completing my National Boards, but I haven't created a weekly layout since March. Not. Good.

So, I'm back to using up all of my fun stuff in my stash. And I challenged myself to make a Counterfeit Kit that was reminiscent of August's AMAZING!! Gossamer Blue kit. I mean, bokeh, and woodgrain, and OMG that blue!!!! Seriously, Lori Gentile has an UH-MAZING eye for mixing (and her customer service is insanely awesome).

For my Counterfeit Kit, you'll notice that I pulled from a ton of different lines, companies, and seriously, two of the patterned papers are Christmas! Who knew! Rather than the bokeh, I went with polka dots, and pulled one of my favorite pieces of Sass paper that I have squirreled away for rainy days. I thought I could stamp on the kraft or even the cork sticker for a similar effect to the pieces that she put in the kit, and finally have a good reason to use up my woodgrain enamel dots! I can't wait to start using it!! (Just in case you were wondering... my craft room has a cork floor that's peeking out on both sides...)

Paper Top Row L-R:
Love Letters - Amy Tangerine for American Crafts
Be You (Lime Twist) - My Mind's Eye
unknown - Stampin' Up
Foundations Two (Classique-Elegant) - Authentique
Family Ties (So Sophie) - My Mind's Eye
Winter Wonderland (Sleigh Ride) - Crate Paper

Paper Bottom Row L-R:
Robust (Suave) - Authentique
Twinkle (Glistening) - Authentique
Friends Forever (Stella & Rose) - My Mind's Eye
Textile (Random) - Crate Paper
Playhouse (Emma's Shoppe) - Crate Paper
Golden Hour (Sunshine Broadcast) - Sassafras Lass

Embellishments:
Star Stick Pins - Maya Road
Layered Clouds chipboard - UmWowStudios
DIY Envelopes - Simple Stories
woodgrain Enamel Dots - Studio Calico
Cork Label Sticker - Fancy Pants
Hey You Vintage Buttons - Basic Grey
Decorative Stickers, Label Stickers, Tiny Word Stickers (Collectable) - My Mind's Eye
Assorted die cuts - My Mind's Eye & Crate Paper
Everywhere Thickers - American Crafts
Wish You Were Here Stamp Set - Lawn Fawn Pin It

Happy Birthday ScrapbookSteals! It's a July Blog Hop

First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCRAPBOOKSTEALS! I seriously love both the Steals Network, and the community that they have built. I consider many of the ladies that I met through ScrapbookSteals as some of my absolute closest friends. When Melodee asked if I would help to celebrate ScrapbookSteal's 4th birthday, I jumped at the chance.

You should be here from Cyndee's blog. I love her work.

If you want to start from the beginning:
ScrapbookSteals: http://scrapbook.steals.com/wp/?p=18660
Cathy Caines: www.inthecatcave.com
Cristine Redmond: http://onescrappynovice.blogspot.com
Venetia Holbrook: www.atomicvenetia.blogspot.com
Cyndee Kawa: http://scrappydaylily.blogspot.com
Heather Conklin: http://goldiecar.blogspot.com   (You are HERE!)
Van Nguyen: http://likethecar.blogspot.com
Staci Jones: http://scrapbookingischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com
Charissa Miller: http://www.akihasmommascraps.com
Brenda Smith: http://theimperfectscrapper.blogspot.com
Erin Colby: http://oursliceofcheese.blogspot.com
Erica Bass: http://stampingstarlette.blogspot.com
Kristy Lee: http://lifescrapped.blogspot.com

Challenge #1: Use 4 types of products
For this challenge, I used patterned paper, stickers, Elle's Studio tags and flair. I LOVE Sanuks, and have too many pairs!! They are super comfy.


Challenge #2: 2009
I found a photo that was taken just a few months after Miss I was born. It was a rough time. Babies are a whole lot of work, and I know that we had idealized what real life with babies was all about. And now she's four and has a little sister. A lot has happened in four years.

Challenge #3: Favorite Vendor
I chose to spotlight this fantastic photo of my oldest with some of my lovely SS purchases. I chose to use the now defunct (BOO!) Sassafras Lass. My first "real" purchase of scrapbook paper was Sass, so I knew that it would be a personal thing for me to include the company that got me out of the Target scrap aisle and using really quality products, alongside the wonderful company that helped me to develop into the crafter I am today. 

Challenge #4: Washi Fever
I had this cute little notebook lying around, that I wanted to spruce up. What's better than to decorate it with a little bit of washi. 

If you leave a comment on how you follow my blog. Email, Twitter, Bloglovin', Feedly, or Google Friend Connect, I will put you in a drawing for a 6x6 card kit that I will be making this weekend. I usually combine 15 or so papers, with stickers, wood veneers, ribbon and other embellishments. All in matching color combos, so it's easy to mix and match. You can even choose the color or color combo that you would like it to be, just make sure you note it on your comment!

Leave a comment by Midnight, Wednesday (July 17th) for the card kit. Check back to see if you are a winner!! And make sure that you link up your projects to the ScrapbookSteals blog by the same time for some great prizes from the Steals Network!!

Now, head onto one of my favorite people ever: Van Nguyen!! Pin It

10 Minute Craft Dash... Creating Cards in No Time at All!

WOW. I have scrapped in 10 minutes before, and I thought that was hard. Making a card in 10 minutes that I actually wanted to use was even harder. You really don't want to see the first one I did. It had banners and fussy cutting, and marker. Not pretty. Created in under 10 minutes, but a total trainwreck. So... I went and looked at the challenge examples again (at PrettyPinkPosh) and kept it simple.

To make sure that I could stay within my 10 minutes, I first set out all of my supplies. Keeping everything close to hand made it easy to create without having to make too many decisions. 

See all of that stuff? Nope. Didn't use everything. I'm okay with that. Having it out gave me options. I went with what felt natural instead of forcing something that wasn't to be.

And just in case you were wondering... Here is my time left out of the 10 minutes. Seriously... It didn't even take 5 minutes!!! I can only credit that to a pre-folded card base, stamping directly onto the paper (a risk since I'm NOT a stamper... I credit some great stamping advice a few friends have given me lately), washi tape and embellishments that already have adhesive on them. The faux stitching was the most difficult and time consuming thing for the whole card.

Seriously FUN challenge. Really. I think I'm going to try it again. :) Pin It

Gossamer Blue Guest Design Challenge with My Mind's Eye

It's no secret that I love my monthly dose of Gossamer Blue. If I wasn't at work when the postman came, I think I would probably start stalking him about the time my GB box was to arrive. This last month, GB had a challenge for a Guest Design spot featuring My Mind's Eye products. Just another reason to go and snag some more of their enamel dots!!

For this layout, I combined quite a few new and older lines together. Stella & Rose, Alphabet Soup, Collectible and The Sweetest Thing with a little bit of twine and white cardstock. Seriously though... I love those enamel dots!! Pin It

AUTHENTIQUE COLOR CHALLENGE: September

I love the new Curiosity line. It's bright, fun, and doesn't always have to be used for school-related items! Loving this picture of my little girl who turned three over summer. <3 br="br">

Authentique Patterned Papers in Studious, Academic and Interested,  Details Stickers

AC Kraft, ribbon and Thickers, Pebbles sticker, OctoberAfternoon Mists, Chalk Ink

 

ABOUT THE COLOR CHALLENGE:

We have two challenges per month:
• Inspiration Color Challenge - The Inspiration Color Challenge will be posted on the third Saturday of each month. There will be a color storyboard posted for you to use as inspiration.

I would love for you to play along!

A few details:

Just use the challenge inspiration to create as many projects as you'd like.
A winner will be randomly selected from all the qualified entries to receive an Authentique Paper prize pack!
{The more projects you create, the better your chances are of winning!}

Head to the Authentique Blog for all of the rules and details, as well as amazing inspiration from all of the design team members. Pin It

Topaz 9: Friends (w/ Counterfeit Kit)

For this project, I wanted to use a few photos of my lovely Miss I, and her two best friends! I love how the natural light on these photographs just picked up the cutest expressions on each of the girls. I also really wanted to keep using my fantastic Counterfeit Kit that I made for September. I still have SO much paper and supplies, that it might just run me into October as well! Or, I could just find more time and keep crafting away...

I decided to finally use the elusive Crate Paper Bouquet paper. I'm not one for using a ton of florals in my projects, so this was kind of a stretch for me. I loved the flowers, and the colors, but just do not choose them everytime. I also used Kristy's fantastic Mid-Week Mojo for Topaz #9. I loved the idea of using photographs more than once, and so mirror the larger photos with the same photos in wallet size.

Instead of another journaling area, I decided to use some Glue Dots (I couldn't find my Glubers, homemade or otherwise) and a piece of kraft scrap to make this muslin flower. Super easy!!! I then adorned it with a Studio Calico butterfly that I had sprayed with Lunchtray Mr. Huey, then adorned with my MME bling.

I mirrored the small butterfly, with a larger one that was created in the same way. I just adore how the Mr. Huey's is SO bright. And it matched my color palette perfectly!

After piling all the pieces together, I realized that the blues needed something to 'pop' against, so used the reddish paper to make the polka dots stand out. I didn't want to waste paper, so strategically pieced together a border in reverse. All of the seams are hidden behind the flower, bracket or butterfly (you didn't notice, did you???!). I also added a small kraft scalloped edge to reflect the journaling box. Lastly, foam Thickers made up the title.

All in all, I think it went just well! I'm sad to see most of the inspiration paper from my Counterfeit Kit gone, but I have enough to make a card or two...

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Layout Overload...

Here are few layouts to catch up, and a couple for some challenges over at ScrapbookSteals.

Challenge #4: Gender Swap
The goal of this was to create a layout using products designed for the opposite sex.
For this layout, I used Basic Grey's "Oliver" paper and buttons, a BG "Olivia" journaling tag and paperclip, and Sassafras Lass Paper Whimsies.

Challenge #3: Summer Fun
In this layout, we were given this image to look at, and make some kind of summery layout or card from it! I used BoBunny "Sun-Kissed" line for the paper and stickers, and AC Thickers for the 2011.

Challenge #1, otherwise known as... MWM #48
I happen to LOVE My Mind's Eye "Lost and Found" collection, and was SUPER excited when ScrapbookSteals had it as one of their steals!! The only thing I didn't like about Portabello Road, was the super thin twine that was in the pennant stickers. So, I swapped it out for some of my Twinery twine in Blossom. Lovely!! I fussy-cut the "perfect" and the other glittered image. I haven't quite figured out exactly what I want to have the layout say yet... So I'm waiting for the right inspiration to hit. I am planning on typing this out in a handwriting font, then attaching it in strips underneath the photograph. I'll update when I'm complete :)

MWM #43: New Friends
For this layout, I used "It's the Small Things" from Fancy Pants. It has FP paper, Glitter Cuts, and ribbon that I was sent as a prize from the Fancy Pants facebook page. I also used my iRock bling, a couple of Studio Calico tickets and some Glossy Accents to highlight the cute bird on the small journaling strip. To add more definition, I also inked the edges of each paper with my Chalk ink in Charcoal. Pin It

American Crafts Studio: 6 Colors Week Challenge with Wendy

I was wandering the internet and found this wonderful challenge... And a way to use some of my hoarded City Park and Blue Skies paper and embellishments!

The challenge itself is to only use six, (yes 6!!) colors throughout the entire layout. My colors are: white, tan, brown, green, pink and raspberry. I know that there is only a little bit of raspberry throughout the layout, but it is such a bright color that I didn't want it to overpower the images.

I used a comination of stripes and dots to mirror the patterns that were in the photographs. Stripes to mimic the slats in Isla's crib, and the dots to mimic the pattern of her bedclothes.

All in all, this is a pretty successful layout. Yeah!! Pin It