Monday, January 30, 2012

One Layer Wednesday 76


Okay, okay....I know that this is the third version of this card, but.......

Somewhere in my blog stalking travels I came upon Lisa's awesome blog titled I'm in Haven .

While visiting Lisa's blog, I discovered Simplicity, hosted by the talented Susan Raihala, the master of clean and simple!  Susan has taken the time to post several step-by-step, no nonsense, learning tutorials.  You really, REALLY have to pay her blog a visit!

So while there, I discovered yet another challenge - One Layer Wednesday 76.  Grey, white and a pop of color on a one layer card.  Hence, my third version. 

I inked up my stamp (Inkadinkado) with two colors - base layer was Basic Grey with Bordering Blue tapped gently on top (Basic Grey alone was too dark).  My 'pop of color' is the two wee aqua colored pearls on each side of the sentiment.  I wanted to keep the 'pop' somewhat subdued as this is a sympathy card.

....I promise there won't be a fourth version!

Unscripted Sketches #143




I definitely took an 'unscripted' approach to the sketch this week!  But remember, these sketches are just a starting point that will hopefully inspire many different ideas.

I love this stamp and knew that it would work well with this sketch!  I stamped the image in the corner to imitate the semi-circle element.  The stamp is quite intricate so I wanted to use a small sentiment (sympathy seemed appropriate for the image).  The black pen border really grounded the image nicely.

I used Black Stazon on Very Vanilla cardstock.  I made the same card (previous post) on white cardstock but definitely like the look of this card better.

The design team has produced some amazing cards this week so pop on over to Unscripted Sketches, get inspired, then get busy creating and sharing your handiwork with us!



Wednesday, January 25, 2012

CFC36: Create a Clean And Simple Project that is only black and white.



A really simple and quick card that I thought was perfect as a sympathy card.  The challenge was to create and clean & simple project.  This card does not get any simpler than this!

The stamped image is considerably darker in 'real life'.  I am still trying to figure out the best settings on my new camera - especially with white on white.

Here is the link to the challenge.  There are over 250 amazing entries, so head on over and check out the goods.

http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2012/01/cfc36.html

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Map to Your Heart Challenge in the Moxie Fab World





Same card - different photo background




How many of you have done a google search on "crafts made with maps"?  There was literally hundreds of pages of trendy projects using old maps - now who would have thunk it?  Cath (Moxie Fab World) was bang on when she said that "using maps in your paper crafting is nothing short of all the rage". 

I made this card specifically for the Map to Your Heart Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.  I have listed the link at the end of the post if you would like to play along. 

I actually started by using up one whole map (that dear hubby may be searching for one day) but wasn't happy with the color combo.  I then decided to download a map of the city of  Winnipeg (capital of Manitoba, about 4 hours from where we live).  I printed it in black/white and my color combo was born.  This is my DH valentine's day card so I also wanted to keep it masculine (black, white, red).

I might have strayed a bit off track (no pun intended) when I used the map to create a maze on the card so that I could use my creatively punny sentiment:
Our {heart = love} is a-Mazing!!

Although it is hard to see in the photo, the heart is punched out on the main card so that the red glimmer paper (popped up on dimensionals) shows through. 

http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2012/01/map-to-your-heart-challenge.html

Unscripted Sketches #142






Oh dear! This was scheduled to post Saturday morning at 6:30am but it didn't happen!

WOWZERS!  Did you see all the unbelievable, super-calla-craftalicious creations this past week at Unscripted Sketches?  I can hardly wait to see who has been inspired by this week's sketch!

Another sketch with so many possibilities....and I think I put every single one of those possibilities onto this card :)  Honestly, I seriously think that I am way out of my comfort zone here!  I really had to work to come up with something I was happy with.  Hence, the word challenge!

The cellophane window doesn't really show up in the photo (bottom of the removable tag peaks through the window).   The sentiment banner also has a pleat that isn't visible in the photo.  The flip side of the tag has a simple To and From stamped on the back - perfect for the recipient of the card to use on a future gift.

My new Stampin' Up Edgelit Die just arrived and I was eager to use it on this card.  I cut three different color pieces, glue them together and placed it just off centre, highlighting the nice soft curve of the die.  The flowers are from MFT Dienamics.

I really hope you find time to join us this week at Unscripted Sketches.  I know that we will be blown away again by all the amazing submissions!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Unscripted Sketches #141



This week's sketch:


This sketch is guaranteed to generate some awesome submissions this week!

I wanted to use my new Spellbinder Impressabilities - Flower Silhouette as it is such a pretty image.  I used velum for a nice soft look.  I ran the sandwich through my Big Shot four times to get a nice deep impression.  It looks really great when the card is partially opened and the light can filter through. 

I 'unscripted' the sketch somewhat as well by going with a square card...only reason is that I don't have any rectangle spellbinders! 

I can hardly wait to see this week's cards! Honestly, I check the website for new submissions at least three to four times a day!  It is such a good feeling knowing that crafting minds are being inspired all over our world.

Just click on the link below and share your creations with us:

Happy crafting everyone!

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

ric#3 - Gareth Pugh Spring 2012 and Die Cutting Challenge in the Moxie Fab World



The inspiration (WOW!!!) .... how does she walk in those shoes?



This is my first visit to this challenge blog and I absolutely love everything about the site. Make sure you take a peak at all the submissions - so many talented people happily sharing their creative endeavors with all of us!

(Now, honestly, I can't imagine being out and about in our small community in an outfit like this but what this signature piece might lack in functionality, it more than makes up for it with inspiration!)

Here is the link if you would like to play along:
http://www.runwayinspired.blogspot.com/2012/01/ric3-gareth-pugh-spring-2012.html

I used my Nestabilities (Long Classic Rectangles Large) to cut out the sections of the card front.  It did take a bit of planning and measuring to get it right!  I used graph paper to draw out my original templates. Please see the pics below:



I am also entering this card in the Die Cutting Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.  They have some great challenges (and prizes) going on all week for their Cool Tools Week. Pay them a visit and check out all the great information on the latest and greatest tools.  Just click below and get busy crafting!


Saturday, January 7, 2012

Unscripted Sketches #140





I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season, surrounded by the love of family and friends. 

It is nice to get back into my craft room. Santa picked up on all my "not-so-subtle" hints and I did get a new camera for Christmas....so now the learning begins!  Our daughter gave me a crash course but it is definitely going to take some major trial and error to find the right settings. 

Another fabulous sketch this week.  I actually did two versions of the card.  My original intention was to make the card with a portrait orientation but out of habit, I made it landscape and submitted it that way!  So, I flipped it on it's side, moved the hearts around (good thing for dimensionals that aren't too sticky) and posted this version as well.

I hope that you have been inspired by the awesome creations of the design team.  We would love to have you play along with us this week at Unscripted Sketches. Just click on the link below and share your handiwork with us.


Happy crafting everyone!