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!

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

 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

 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!

 

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

 

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.

 

Dana

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!

One Crazy Week

I have a quick card to share with you today. It's one I made awhile back because I haven't made anything this week. Our sweet little 5lb. Yorkie, Maddie had a seizure on Monday, and we've pretty much been on dog duty this week testing medicine. It was a really bad seizure, but we are hoping the medicine will work. However right now it's too strong and she is like a little deer trying to learn how to walk. Since Chase and I don't have kids, Maddie is our kiddo. So it's been a rough week.

So here's the card!

 

 1. Make card from cardstock, adhere rub-on.
2. Punch border and adhere to card.
3. Stamp sentiment on cardstock and adhere with foam tape.
4. Cut heart from cardstock and adhere with foam tape.
5. Tie bow.

Rub On: (Out on a Limb, Antique White) Hambly
Stamps: (Key to My Heart) Practicing Creativity
Ink: (Onyx Black) VersaFine
Cardstock: (Innocent Pink) Gina K, (Hibiscus Burst) Papertrey Ink
Ribbon: (Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink
Punch: (Starburst Border) Fiskars

And I know this card is way way way too pink for me. But I kind of like it... (shhh..). Thanks for stopping by!

Farewell to 2 Sketches 4 You

Today is a sad day. We are wishing 2 Sketches 4 You goodbye. When I heard the news from Laura and Kazan I was sad, but I totally understood. These challenge sites really take a ton of work, and I know Laura and Kazan both have great things in store for us in the future.

All of the current design team and design team alumni are working with two fabulous sketches. I know you'll want to join us for these two final sketches!

And here's what I came up with (we are all focusing on miss you/good bye cards).

1. Make card from cardstock.
2. Cut stripe of cardstock and adhere to bottom of card base.
3. Cut a 2x3 piece of patterned paper. Stamp balloon and adhere.
4. Stamp balloon three more times, cut out balloon and accent piece adhere.
5. Stamp cloud, cut, and adhere with foam tape.
6. Stamp sentiment, adhere.
7. Tie bow and adhere ribbon.

Stamps: Look Up Additions, You're Dandy (Practicing Creativity)
Cardstock: New Leaf, Hawaiian Breeze, Summer Sunrise (Papertrey Ink), Solar White (Neenah)
Ink: Powder Blue (Jenni Bowlin), Black (VersaFine)
Ribbon: New Leaf (Papertrey Ink)

So go check out 2 Sketches 4 You and wish Kazan and Laura luck with their new adventures!

Another Birthday Card with Another Year

Whew! We've release two more stamp sets, Another Year and Carved Love. If you missed it, just scroll down though this week. I have another card using Another Year for you. I just love this set.

 

I went a little crazy on my colors, but  I think I really like it!

1. Make a card from cardstock. Using the circle stamp stamp background.
2. 4.25" x 3" piece of cardstock, stamp number background, highlighting your number of choice. Adhere and sew edges.
3. Cut slit across the top of the card, feed ribbon through and tie bow. Add button with twine.
4. Adhere die cut shape. 
5. Stamp sentiment on a stripe of cardstock and adhere.
6. Adhere buttons.

Stamps: Another Year (Practicing Creativity Designs)
Cardstock: Hawaiian Breeze, Plum Pudding (Papertrey Ink); Solar White (Neenah)
Ribbon: Parrot Green Twill (May Arts)
Ink: Craft White (Stampin' Up); Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)
Buttons: Berry Sorbet (Papertrey Ink)
Die Cut Shape: Favorite Frames (Laina Lamb)

Thanks for stopping by! I'm currently in the mountains of North Carolina for work! I'm wishing I had time for a little skiing, but there certainly won't be time for that.

Introducing Carved Love

I'm so excited to show you this stamp set today! I hope you enjoyed yesterday's peek of Another Year. I so enjoyed reading all of your comments! If you haven't already checked out yesterday's post there's still time to comment and win!

Today, it's all about love. Let's get right to it. Here's a set of cards I made using Carved Love. I went for a more masculine look with these cards. I really love how easy it is to make guy cards with this super fun set.

And I have a video for you all about Carved Love.

You can also view it here on YouTube.

And check out what the design team has created:

Karen

 

Karen created this super cute card showing the classic use of Carved Love. Don't you love how cute that heart is?

Dana

 

Dana shows off how you can use this set to customize your cards! Did I mention it has an entire alphabet along with that birch background? And don't you love that embossed background? So cute!

Paulina

 Paulina made this super cute card with the birch background and the hearts. I just love how she paired them up.

Go check out these girl's blogs for more details on all their fabulous cards! 

Carved Love will be available January 6 at 12:01am (aka tonight at midnight)!

Before you leave, leave a comment and we'll be giving away Carved Love. I'd love to hear who your favorite person is to make Valentine's Day cards for.

Introducing Another Year

You all guessed right! To celebrate our one year anniversary the first set this month is an all-birthday stamp set. If you're anything like me the majority of the cards you actually use are thank you and birthday cards! I really never have enough.

Here's one of the cards I made with the set:

This set has one large background made up of number 1-100. I love it just for a background, but it really has so many more uses with the sentiments included in the set. I also am giving you a little peek at tomorrow's stamp set. Can you find it?

I also used our aqua grosgrain and satin ribbon. I love that stuff.

I also have video for you today with Another Year. I know you'll want to see exactly how this set works!

You can also view it on YouTube here.

And now the design team has been hard at work creating some super cute cards using Another Year. Each member has made two cards showing how this set can really be used for any birthday!

 

Karen 

 

Karen shows off just how versatile this set is with a neutral card and a kids card. Did you notice how great the numbers look behind her little scene? It's just a detail that I love! 

 

Paulina 

Aren't these so cute? Paulina shows off a super girlie teen card and a masculine card. Don't you just love that color combo? I do! 

Dana

 

Dana rocks both of these cards. She highlights specific birthdays, and I just love the custom attention that brings to both cards. Don't you just love all the possibilities with the "...again" sentiment?

Go check out these girl's blogs for more details on all their fabulous cards! 

Another Year will be available January 6 at 12:01am! 

Make sure you check back tomorrow where we'll show you sneak peeks from our other set that's releasing this month! It's sure to make your heart beat a little faster (hint hint).

Before you leave, leave a comment and we'll be giving away Another Year. And since it is "Another Year" I'd love to hear what you're excited about in 2011!