Believe - Quietfire Guest Designer

Hello, Crafty Peeps!

I am so excited to present this project as a Guest Designer for Quietfire Creations!
I was honored to be invited, and trust me, I agonized over what to create!  Eventually,
I created two projects using the  Quietfire "Believe" Die

Project #1   An Upcyled Ping Pong Paddle
Project #2   A Journal Cover

I was inspired by a project from Asmah Abidin.  She had the fabulous idea of upcycling a ping pong paddle.  I thought this would be the perfect showcase for the Quietfire "Believe" Die!

I sent my hubby off to the Goodwill and he returned with 2 paddles, and a Racketball Racket, which he says he purchased in self defense just in case inspiration took a left turn somewhere.
(Translation no more sudden trips to the Goodwill. )

The elegance of this Quietfire "Believe Die"  really draws the eye into this design, I think!   

Quietfire offers a Believe Stamp Set that could be used to complement the die. 

Paper piecing has become a true port of refuge for me on the days my hands don't work well enough for me to color.  I drew the colors for my paddle from her jacket!.

 The dark wood stain, really brought out the earth colors.   To brighten the palette a little,  I added the orange-red flowers and a smathering of TH Abandoned Coral DI on the flourishes.
PROJECT #2 - JOURNAL

I resisted the temptation to make the spine and back more elaborate!  I decided to leave both black and add only random swipes of gold!  I covered the entire project with three coats of  Liquitex Professional Gloss Varnish...the effect is quiet lovely!

Challenge #117 - 613 Avenue Create - TRULY ANYTHING GOES!

Hello, Crafty Peeples!

This week at 613 Avenue Create, we have a "Truly Anthiny Goes" Challenge.

So, show off your Canvas work or Art Jounals.  I would love to see some Scrap Pages and Home Decor Projects.  Whatever strikes your fancy, we would like to see your creations.

I decided this week to revisit an old favorite of mine, brown paper bag cards.  They are so easy and so full of opportunities to "hide stuff" like tags and gifts.

BROWN BAG TAG POCKET CARD

I don't celebrate Easter, but this wonderful paper from Authentiques's "Hope Collection" was impossible to resist.  I am sending this as a gift to one of my crafting buddies!

 Like I said, lots of little "cubbies" in which to stick things.  Such a nice way to send a gift of stamps to a crafting buddy! The Inkadinkado Stamps fit perfectly!

Thanks for Stopping By!  I look forward to seeing your work in the challenge at 

613 AVENUE CREATE

Challenges Entered:

2015 World Wide Open Design Team Challenge - Anything Goes

Amusing Challenge - Anything Goes
Design Team Showcase - Anything Goes
Eclectic Ellapu - Anything Goes- PINK TEAM
Scribble and Scrap - Always Anything Goes
A Gem of A Challenge - Shaped Cards (Anything But A Square)

IDEA BOOK - Sketches and Ideas .

I spend a lot of time in the offices of physician's offices and radiologists, not to mention the six to eight hours hooked up to an IV once a month for my infusion therapy. Like most crafters, while sitting there, I am thinking about projects on my board for DT assignments or other challenges.  I usually take a book to read but it occured to me that I should have in my purse at all times a mini sketch book.  I didn't want anything fancy and this is a long way from fancy.

STEP ONE

I began the design using an empty Frosted Flakes Carton.

  You may use chipboard, corrugated cardbord or other material.  

  Empty cartons are a staple in my studio.  I substitute this for chipboard on many projects. 

It also makes a pretty sturdy tag.

STEP TWO

Cut cardboard to the desired size 

I planned to use 8.5" x 11" Paper, so I cut my cardboard  9" x 11.5" 

 STEP THREE

Glue your cover to your design paper.

I used my scoreboard to determine the center crease.  

Then, using my Tim Holtz ruler, I marked the location of my holes.  

I punched the holes using my Big Bite!

I used Bo Bunny et cetera papers

Add inside cover paper

I chose to add my inside cover as two individual panels after adding my paper. 

 I do not reccomend this approach.

STEP FOUR

Align Papers.

STEP FIVE

STITCH COVER

STEP SIX
EMBELLISH AS DESIRED

For my closer, decided to use a binder clip. The clip is also used to hold the pages while the book was in use.  I used  Rub'n Buff to change the color and give it an aged look!

To Apply the Dina Wakley Stencil, 

I used TH Distree Inks: Vintage Photo and Peacock Feathers

I also added a scrap strip of drywall tape and a Petaloo Glass Flower

On the inside front cover, I used The Gardenia Stencil from Prima's Bloom Collection

National Random Act Of Kindness Day - 613 Avenue Create

Hello, Crafty Peeples,

Over at 613 Avenue Create we are celebrating National Random Act of Kindness Day (RAK).  As usual, our challenge is Anything Goes w/ Optional Twist and our Twist this week is create something for  your mailman, a neighbor, favorite waitress, etc.

This card is going into a bundle that my SIL is taking to her church.  They use them for birthdays, get well, etc.  My SIL always holds some back for the members to take for their personal use. 

This fabulous image is from  Art By Miran

 The wonderful lace is from Prima.  They stopped making it four years ago, so I use what I have sparingly.  The green ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.  The Flower and Foliage Stem are from Petaloo.  The Printed Designer Paper is from My Mind's Eye  Lost and Found - Market Street

The card base is Neenah #80 CS - Classic Crest Baronial Ivory. The Green Card Stock is Bazzill

Would love to see your creations in our challenge!  Thanks for stopping by!  Hugz, Chana

Challenges Entered:
Scribble and Scrap - Always Anything Goes

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