Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Embellish Challenge: Birds

Doesn't it feel good when your creative juices are flowing, especially after a serious break? It's so fun. So, I haven't done a challenge in... well forever (forever = 4 months). I thought I'd try out the latest Embellish challenge.
And here's what I came up with using several PCD sets.
1. Make card from cardstock.
2. Cut kraft paper slightly smaller, stamp birch background from Carved Love.
3. Sew around edge.
4. Adhere fabric tape and tie bow.
5. Adhere cardstock.
6. Die cut shape, stamp bird and sentiment.


Stamps: Carved Love, Nature's Wonder, Christmas Wonder (Practicing Creativity)
Cardstock: Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Ribbon: Dark Chocolate Swiss Dot (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Blue Bayou (Stampin' Up), Burnt Umber (Palette)

Well happy Tuesday!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Sunny Summer Days Page

Sunny Summer? I realize that's only in my head right now in late February, but a girl can't help but to dream of the coming days.... but first.

I wanted to write a little about everything that's happening in our world. I think everyone has probably been told in person, so I feel better about writing it here on my blog. Chase has taken a new position at Rolling Hills Community Church. It's still here in middle Tennessee, but as Chase and I both grew up going to Gladeville, it's a huge change. This month has been very emotional, we love the Glade, but we are excited about what God has in the future. In the midst of the change we have put our house on the market. I know many of you have been reading since we first moved in, and you know all about the many, many, many projects we did in this house. I so wish I could give this craft room to someone that would really love it as much as I have.

So there's my excuse for my blog hiatus. Is it good enough? Chase and I would appreciate your prayers as we embark on a new chapter in our lives, and to sell our house.

Alright, so back to those summer days. Chase took this picture of Maddie and I after we walked to PetSmart one day. It's not a long walk, but it was hot. Maddie just laid down after we started back home. We ended up having to carry her home. I'm telling you sometimes it's really nice to have a 5lbs. dog.



I've been hoarding that sheet of Basic Grey Doodlebug paper forever! I finally just had to use it.

With this blog break, I did want you to know that there will still be a Practicing Creativity release next week! It's a great one that Karen designed!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Whew... I actually made something.

Well friends, I've taken a little blogging hiatus this month. I've really been so busy, and I feel like I say that all the time. Seriously, you ladies with kiddos... major props from this girl in Tennessee. I don't know how you do it!

With everything that's been going on I haven't had time to create, so tonight I just grabbed some random stuff and started adding it together. Here's what collected itself together on paper.
I used one of my favorite stamp sets, Chatterbox and some random paper. It's eclectic, but I guess that's what happens when you let things collect themselves on paper... sigh.

Okay, so more news from me in the near future... seriously.

Did you see that Look Up! and Look Up! Additions is featured in the March PaperCrafts! So exciting!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

For the Love of Grids Winners

I just realized today that I never drew the winners for The Love of Grids stamp set!
The first set goes to:

Donelda said...
It is the criss crossed background stamp at the bottom.

The second set goes to:

Laura.K said...
Wow. Your page is GORGEOUS. I love it.

And all the other cards are very beautiful.

This set can be used with every possible stamp, in any style, it's a MUST HAVE.

Email me at courtney@practicingcreativitydesigns.com and I'll send you your set!

Friday, February 4, 2011

More For the Love of Grids

Whew! It was a late night last night. I do have some more cards to show with For the Love of Grids!

 Supplies: For the Love of Grids, Look Up! Additions (Practicing Creativity)
Ink: Versa Mark, VersaFine Black
Ribbon: Vintage Cream Twill (May Arts)

And check out these super cards for Valerie. 

Valerie did an amazing job on this one! Aren't they so creative?So creative!

If you missed the official release last night you can find For the Love of Grids here.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

For the Love of Grids Reveal

Free shipping on all orders of $50 (US Only)

And don't forget about some of our other recent releases: 
Thank you all for supporting Practicing Creativity!

For the Love of Grids

We're back today with some more cards using For the Love of Grids! Today, I gave each designer the challenge of using For the Love of Grids with one of Practicing Creativity's other stamp sets (not that hard since For the Love of Grids can truly go with anything).

I decided I would use Barefoot Summer along with For the Love of Grids. I also decided to make a scrapbook page rather than a card. It's really not hard at all to create your own 12x12 patterned paper with these stamps.


I used all three background sets. I also used our Turquoise Glimmer Mist to give it even more texture. It's hard to see in the pictures though.

Check out what the design team did:

 
 Dana got the challenge of using Look Up! Additions with For the Love of Grids. Isn't the result just stunning? Dana used all three grids and the sentiment and large balloon from Look Up! Additions.

 Karen  
  Karen  used The Whole Cycle and Chatterbox along with For the Love of Grids. Notice how she accented the dots? So cute!

 
 Valerie used a really creative use of the grid. Once she raised the flower out of the background, she colored in select squares to create a checkered effect. Valerie also used Nature's Wonder.

Tonight's the big night. For the Love of Grids will release at midnight eastern tonight! 

But before that I'd like to give away another set! I'd love to hear which Practicing Creativity stamp set you'd most like to use with For the Love of Grids!
 

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Introducing For the Love of Grids

You may remember last April we release For the Love of Dots, this month we are releasing another set that I've wanted for awhile, For the Love of Grids. I wish you could see just how dirty my For the Love of Grid stamps already are (unfortunately dirty stamps = well loved around here).

For my first card I used two of the stamps. One is this great hatch looking grid. I also used it when I illustrated Look Up! Additions in the little banner stamps. It's the great texture on the gray. The other is the large diamond pattern I used on yesterday's card as well.


I also used the sentiment from Another Year in the flower along with May Arts Teal Twill.

Check out what the design team created!
 

 
Valerie used all three of the background stamps to create the background and her flowers. Isn't it so cute? She also used the Thanks from Look Up! Additions.
 Karen 
Karen used the classic grid set, and I love the effect. You can use the stamp a thousand different ways. She Chatterbox for her sentiment.
 
Isn't the background so fun? This set includes a larger dot to use inside this grid or where the small dot is (tomorrow I'll show this in the video). Dana also used Chatterbox.

I know you'll want to visit the design team's blogs for more details on their cards!

So what do you think of For the Love of Grids? Which pattern do you like the best?

We'll be back tomorrow with some more sneak peeks, and the set will go on sale at midnight tomorrow night!


Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Practicing Creativity February Sneak Peek

Hey there! It's February 1st and that means it's time for another Practicing Creativity release. But first we have to say goodbye to the fabulous Paulina. I have just loved having Paulina on our design team, and I especially loved getting to meet her last summer at CHA. We will certainly miss her. This month we also welcome a new design team member, Valerie Mangan. I've loved Valerie's work for awhile, and I'm just thrilled to have her join the team!


This month we are just releasing one stamp set, but it's a go-to stamp set for sure. I've already been wearing it out. Are you ready for some clues?

You can visit each of the design team members blogs for a little clue (three different distorted views of the set).

And I have another little hint here as well. Do you remember this card, originally seen here? 
Well, I used the one of the new stamps on this card. Can you find it? Leave a comment below with your guess and we'll pick on winner!

Tomorrow we'll be showing off some different projects using the set! See you then.