A Place To Start - February Challenge - Sketch Challenge "Slay All Day"

 Hello, Crafty Makers!

Welcome to our monthly challenge at

A Place To Start

This month we challenge your creativity

 with a very simple sketch.

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Slay

As you can see, I took a lot of liberty with the sketch.  I didn't want to be too much "on the nose!" 

I had no plan when I started this project.  The only thing I did know was that I wanted to use buttons somewhere in the design.  It was a very pleasant surprise when I found these two wooden buttons in my stash.  Not only were they the perfect colors but they were also perfectly sized for stacking!  They have been in my stash since 2012.

 I normally use Ranger™ Distress Paints and Oxide Inks to create my backgrounds but after watching a Tracy Evans video, I decided to do this background using acrylic paint.  This panel was intended as a practice sheet.  I used a sponge dipped in glycerine to blend out the colors.  

The sketch calls for a banner. I wanted to add something a bit more dramatic.   The black trim in concert with the black sentiment strip gives me the visual I am looking for.  Using a bold sentiment embossed in white also serves to pull in the white card base and makes the composition more cohesive and integrated.  I used a stamp set from my planner supplies.

I used another sentiment and image from the stamp set to decorate the inside.  I may give this to my daughter.  Her boss surprised her today by doubling her bonus.  She also received a fabulous salary increase.  I would say she is slaying it alright.

Thanks for stopping by!

Chana Malkah

Colorful World - Freshly Made Sketches

Hello, Crafty Makers!

I was practicing lining up my new Stencil Girl®/Ann Bulter ™Quilting patterns before I tackle creating a pin cushion from one of Ann's tutorials.  Well, one of my practice sheets looked pretty not so bad, so I figured I would make a card.  

I looked around and found this sketch at 

Freshly Made Sketch Challenge!  

That'll work!

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Colorful World

My world is a scrap piece of background paper I created on my homemade Geli plate.  I colored my frame with the Distress Oxide Inks used for the side panel then I used the Ann Butler™ stencil to add flowers.  The sentiment is from the Altnew® Crafty Mail Collection!

The challenge closes on the 29th. 

You still have time to play along..if you hurry!

Hugz,

For The Rest Of My Life

Hello, Crafty Peeps,

This week at 613 Avenue Create, we have a wonderful sketch by our very own Kathi Silvia.

I love Kathi's sketches, because they allow you to creatively use your papers and embellishments, but they always seem to provide ample opportunity to allow focal (image or grouping) to shine.  I struggle with sketches that have so much going on that the eye cannot find a place to rest.   We hope you will join us.  The winner will receive 7 free digital images from Bugaboo Stamps

I just love this image from Bugaboo.  The sentiment that comes with the image defines marriage as finding someone you can annoy for the rest of your life.  After 43 years of marriage,  I would define marriage as finding someone you can annoy and getting away with it! (LOL)

 I received this 3 piece Itty Bitty Stamp from Unity Stamps in the mail on Friday. Boy was it timely!  

This was a fun, quick project!  I had to make it quick because I am still up to my ears in Tax Returns.  The good thing is that I will earn enough to cover my crafting purchases for the rest of the year.  When I look at it that way, Monday won't seem so bad at all.  I'll just keep thinking Tim Holtz, Spellbinders, Memory Box, Crafty Steals, ......etc., etc., etc.

Thanks for stopping by,
Hugz,
Chana

HUGS AND KISSES - DT CARD

Hello, Cardies,!  Over at Friendship's Garden, our challenge this week is a sketch!  I am the world's worst at sticking to the absolute true sketch design, but I try to get close.  I think you can see the sketch.  Although it is hard to see, the Focal Panel is actually sitting in a frame.  It's a pretty cool effect in real life!

Supplies:  Neenah Classic Linen Cover - Solar White; Memory Box Dies - Serfina Heart (I ued the negative); Embossing Folder: Couture Creations Pinstripe; Butterfly: Offray - Stylish Accents; Ribbon -Dollar Tree; Sentiment: Inkadinkadoo - Hearts and Love Clearstamp set.  Miscellaneous: Pearls-Want@Scrap; chalk,

Thanks for taking a look!  head over to FG and enter the Sketch Challenge, just remember, no stamping (except your sentiment) is allowed.  Digis may be used but they must be pre-colored.  I love this challenge site.  You really get to use all your wonderful dies, charms, embossing folders and other design elements that usually only compliment a stamped image.  It is a great way to learn how to use paper in more challenging and decorative ways.   IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE COLOR CHALLENGE CLICK HERE!

The Perfect Polka

I created this card for the Sketch Challenge over at the Outlawz.  This paper was so pretty and the polka dots are raised to give it even greater texture.  I just love the Memory Box Dies and it took a while to decide which one to use.  This is actually a buckle but I decided I could hide the slide bar with a row of half pearls and I think it works just fine!

Papers: Neenah Natural White CS; Springhill "Orchid" Vellum Cover; DCWV "Nana's Kids (Purple Polka Dot Paper) 61/2" x 41/4 Premium Stack; Brown Polk Dot Paper (From My Stash); Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots; Die cut:  Memory Box "Ringed Buckle"; Lace: Prima (purchased at The Frantic Stamper); Brad:  Basic Grey Stitched Brads; Ink: Momento Rich Cocoa; Sentiment: studio G