A Book Is Like A Garden - Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

So often I hear crafters complaining about Anything Goes Challenges, so since this is my week to host and post, I chose a recipe that I hope will appeal to those designers who are looking for a challenge.

We have a fun recipe for you to follow this week at The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog.

Our Sponsor this week is:

One (1) Ribbon

Two (2) Designer Papers

Three (3) Die Cuts

Four (4) Pearls or Rhinestones

Here is my DT Inspiration Easel Card

 I was intrigued by this sentiment when I saw it at Squigglefly.  I wasn't exactly sure what I would do with it, but given the recipe, I knew I could make the sentiment the star and not a supporting element.

I was tickled to find that I had a perfect place for my Rhinestones!

(1)Fiber Ribbon, (4)Rhinestones, Pearl Brad and Flourish, (2) Designer Papers and (3)Die Cuts.

The starting point of this design was actually the clock die cut.  I originally cut and colored this for my Valentine project HERE but the color did not work with the final design concept.  I put the clock in my scrap bin and it happened to land on top of a piece of green Bazzil Card Stock.  I really liked the colors together and from there, the design began to take shape.

I found these wonderful papers in my 6x6 Paper Pad Library.  Funny story, the pad is another one that I bought twice and I am glad that I did because the papers are just so soft and pretty.  I used the scraps to make my miniature book.  The ribbon will be tied before I give this to the recipient.  

I left it open to show the pages inside.

I worry a lot about maintaining balance on my projects.  Not just with the elements, but also with the integration of color.  Once I made the decision to leave my sentiment white, I knew I would have to balance that by adding white elsewhere in the design.  There are subtle white paint streaks in the paper, but they do not photograph well.  The white resin bird was a happy find in my Prima embellishments bin, as was the white Prima flower. The pearl flourish with the tiny pink flowers, provided added continuity and cohesiveness to the design.  Preserving the little fairy in the corner of the paper also carried on the Garden theme and eliminated the need for any more embellishments.

THE BACK STORY

Card Stock: Bazzill Basics - Textured Stock

Designer Papers:  Prima Marketing " Nature Garden Collection"

Dies: Marianne Designs "Clock Works"

Spellbinders: "Labels #4"

Resin Dove: Prima Marketing "Shabby Treasures"

Rhinestone Border: Want2Scrap

Flowers:  Petaloo (Rust); Prima (White)

Fiber Ribbon:  Really Reasonable Ribbon

Misc: Pearl Brad (Recollection); Pearl Flourish (Zva Creations)

Hope you Like this Creation!  I'll be back to add some challenges!   Please stop by and play along with us at the Crafter's Cafe where we encourage you to SIT, RELAX, CREATE!

Hugz,  Chana

Challlenges:
Additcted To Stamps:  Anything Goes
Crafting By Design - Anything Goes (Entire Month)
Divas By Design - Die Cuts
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
Digi Darla's Challenge - Your Personal Style

613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes w/Optional Twist

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

  Those of you who are familiar with my work know that I very rarely make "cutesy" cards.  Not that I don't like them, I just am not that in to creating them myself.  This year I promised I would expand my crafting horizons, so you will see many attempts at creating cute cards. The Optional Twist this week is:  The Sights, Sounds, and Colors of Winter.   My image is from:

 I guess I really am into trying to broaden my scope, because I used a lot of glitter glue on this card and I normally don't use glitter.  This image seemed to cry out for it, though.  I was so happy when I found the little blue glittered flower in my jar of miscellaneous flowers.

The "Lift Tickets" seemed to work here and I thought they worked well with the challenge theme.  I tried four or five different ways of attaching them to the card, but using this flower seemed to give me the best effect.  I used a small flat head brad to attach the tickets and then covered the brad with the flower.  The tops of the tickets are dimensioned and looks kinda cool IRL!

 I have fallen in love with this spellbinder die and was excited to find that it framed my image perfectly!  The white ribbon is from one of my Really Reasonable Ribbon bundles.  I have purchased several of their sale bundles and will purchase more.  I can always find the perfect ribbon for my projects!   My DH, the artist, says that my coloring is improving with each day.  I love my hubby to death, but I also know that he will LIE to protect my feelings.  But I wasn't too disappointed with this.  I will never have great Copic skills, but I will keep trying!   Maybe that is why I don't do cutesy...too much coloring!

I have had these mitten stamps and sentiment for almost two years.  This is my first time using them.  They work well with this project..don't ya think?

THE BACK STORY
Card Stock:  Neenah "Red Pepper" 80# Linen
Designer Papers: Echo Park "Winter Park" by Lori Whitlock
Image: Squigglefly "Hang Ten"
Sentiment and Mittens Stamps:  Unity Stamp Company
Dies: Spellbinders' "Wavy Borders"
Ribbon:  Really Reasonable Ribbon

Challenges Entered:

Challenges 4 Everybody - Always Anything Goes
Glitter n Sparkle Challenge - Anything Goes
Great Impressions - Use Something New  (I used new Spellbinder Die and New Ribbon)
Scribble and Scrap - Always Anything Goes
The Squirrel and The Fox - Anything Goes

Four Letter Words - 613 Avenue Create Challenge

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

This week at 613 Avenue Create our Optional Twist is Paper Piecing. Click HERE for tutorial. What a great way to start off the week!  Our wonderful sponsor is Squigglefly!  They have some fabulous images and I knew immediately which one I wanted to use.

This is only the second time I have done any paper piecing.  It is not a technique that immediately comes to mind when I start working on a project. When I saw this image I knew it would be perfect for the technique.

I will definitely have to use this technique more often.

Hop on over and add your creation.  Remember we are an Anything Goes Challenge, so if you don't paper piece, no problem.  We would love to see your project.  You can submit up to three entries.

Hugz, Chana

The most difficult decision in this design was the placement of the image.  The original plan was to do a shadow box design and to place the image inside.  I was playing around with my memory box frame dies and I realized I could get the effect I was looking for without the hassle of creating a shadow box.

The paper piecing made coloring easy.  I colored the hair and exposed areas of the image but left the washboard and bucket uncolored.  I added a thin layer of Clear Rock Candy Crackle Paint to the tub and the exposed corner of the washboard.  The sentiments are inked with TH DI Vintage Photo.

The hardest element to execute properly was the clothes line.  I wanted it more taunt, but I didn't like the look of the clothes pins directly in front of the Laundry Room sign, so I let it droop a little.  I guess the element with which I had the most fun was creating my suds. Alternating layers of glitter glue, clear gel tacky glue, and Mixed Berries Fairy Dust glitter, creates a 3D effect that is pretty cool.

PAPER PIECING TUTORIAL

THE BACK STORY

Image and Sentiments: Squigglefly "Am I Having Fun Yet?"

Die Cut Frame: Memory Box "Twirling Vine Frame"

Tiny Spring Clothes Pins:  Forster Colored Tiny

Printed Papers: Floral Background:  My Stash

Printed Paper: Swiss Dots, Chevrons, and Denim (skirt): 

Recollections' Bright and Basic Paper Pad

Cardstock:  Neenah Natural White Smooth

Colored with Copics

Misc. Supplies:  TH DI : Vintage Photo

Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue

Donna Salazar's FairyDust Glitter - Mixed Berries

Queen & Co. Twinkle Glitter Glue

Pearls, brads, scor-tape, twine

Thanks for Stopping By!  Hope to see you in the 613 Avenue Create Neighborhood!

Challenges Entered:

Scribble and Scrap Blog - Always Anything Goes

365 Cards: Day 299 -  Setting The Scene (Must include a stamped Image)

Rogue Redhead Designs - Die Cut Divas

Challenges for Everybody - Anything Goes

Word Play Saturday - Anything Goes