Shopping Our Stash #448 - Tropical Delights

Greetings, Happy Crafters!

The current fortnight challenge at Shopping Our Stash, Tropical Delights, is a chance to create projects that celebrate summer.  The imagery that can be used includes but is not limited to: Palm trees, Parrots, Toucans, Hula girls, Tiki bars, Hibiscus, Pineapples, blue drinks with little umbrellas, etc., are all acceptable.

The Lone PineappleThis challenge theme was particularly daunting to me. First, it took several days to locate a beach-themed kit that I purchased ages ago. Then, after wasting all that time, I decided not to use it but only after wasting another two hours fooling around with various layouts.  As the clock ticked toward midnight, my frustration level increased.  Finally, I figured I would just die-cut pineapple and place it in the center of a color-blended panel.

I cut the pineapple from a color-washed paper kit.  I applied a little Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, and Squeezed Lemonade Distress Inks to deepen the color.  I cut the crown of the pineapple from a scrap bit of light green card stock.  I highlighted the center of the crown with Squeezed Lemonade Distress Ink and distressed the edges with Peeled Paint.  

To finish off the topper, I splattered on a bit of white paint and added a piece of twine. I adhered the pineapple to the topper with foam tape.  I also added glitter to create more interest.  My little fish was leftover from this shadow box project.

The distress inks used to create the background are, Picked Raspberry, Squeezed Lemonade, and Salvaged Patina!  After the night I have had, I need a Pina Colada!

I look forward to seeing your projects in our challenge!

Hugz,

Chana Malkah

 

A Place To Start - Challenge #6 - June 2021 - Create Your Own Challenge

 Hello, Happy Crafters!

This month at A Place To Start we are allowing you to create your own challenge based on a list we provide.  

Good Luck!

Please list your choice(s) from each column!  This makes it easier for us to choose our Rising Stars and Top Sprouts1

IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY

Slimline Birthday Card (Trend: Stencil, Mixed Media)

I added stickle to the body and the wings, and covered the entire bee with Glossy accents.  The scroll was a scrap from my typewriter project.  I created the sentiment on my computer.

I kept the inside simple. I picked up my fly stamp instead of my bee stamp. Since I was already late with this project, I decided to let it bee (get it?) I will make a new panel to go on top of this one.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  

I can't wait to see the challenge you choose for yourselves! 

Hugz!

A Place To Start, Owner

613 Avenue Create, Owner

The Color of Cards, Owner 

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613 Avenue Create - June 2021 Challenge #6 - Anything Goes w/Optional Twist: Paper Piecing : A Funky Flower

 Hello, Crafty Makers!

This month at 613 Avenue Create, our challenging twist is a throwback to an oldie but a goodie.  I love paper piecing!  While creating this project, numerous ideas for future projects kept popping into my head.  I have over 200 6x6 paper pads and probably an equal number of 12x12 and 8x8 pads.  I could paper piece the world if I set my mind to it!😁

A Funky Flower

AALL & Create #120 Growth in Numbers

I am a big fan of the AALL & Create border stamps.  For one thing, I can afford them!  But more than that, they are extremely versatile and ideal for slimline card projects!  I actually combined components from three AALL & Create Stamp sets in this design.

Step One - Choosing A Stamp

I like to choose stamps that have large open areas.  This makes the paper pieced area more visually impactful.  Generally, if I am using multiple patterned papers, I find that a large image ensures that my design will not be too busy!

Step Two - Choosing Papers

I chose these papers because they matched the style of the image, and I knew they would work well with a Kraft card base. For the most part, when choosing papers, the sky is the limit.  

Step 3 - Determining The Background

I knew from jump street that I would need to highlight the colors in my patterned papers somewhere in the design.  The patterns are not bold enough to stand on their own. I felt that they would not make a strong enough artistic statement.  Adding a stenciled element is an easy way to level up a project.  The stencil should be related to the design.  In my case it was geometrics.

This has to be my money-saving tip find of the year.  Instead of using black cardstock to border my face panels, I go around the edges with a black (or colored) Sharpie™.  Thanks, Jo Rice.

Step 4 - Paper Piecing

I used simple pattern papers. This simplified the stamping and saved paper.  The image was stamped in the corner of each sheet.

Using a bold design also increases the ease of cutting out your image.

I played around with various combinations of my chosen patterns.  In the end, I felt that selecting two papers for the petals worked best. Rather than trying to get a precise cut to match the center, I added a brad secured with a dollop of Glossy Accents.  

I used the two remaining papers on the flower vase!

The vase was pieced from the floral paper, and I used the final geometric pattern for the collar.  The final step was the addition of a piece of twine and a mini brad!

Step 5 - Finishing The Design

Little things matter!  Nowhere is that more true than in the world of paper crafting.  I wanted to pull in more of the Kraft color, so I added splatters using Vintage Photo and Picket Fence Distress inks. 

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Thanks so much for stopping by!  

If you have never tried Paper Piecing, we hope you will use our challenge as a place to start!

Hugz!

A Place To Start, Owner

613 Avenue Create, Owner

The Color of Cards, Owner

Stuff I Used:

AALL&CREATE

 #120 Growth In Numbers

#401 - Containers

#395 - Papaver Poppies (I used a stem from this set)

Papers: My Mind's Eye - Vanity Fair (2011)

Stencil:  DecoArt Andy Skinner Bubbles (12"x3")  (discontinued)

Brad:  Imaginisce - Fairy Dust Brads (Fairest of Them All Collection)