Sunday, July 16, 2017

A Smörgåsbord of challenges!

Was inspired by a Pinterest photo to develop this sweet card. It actually went together pretty quickly after I came up with a template. Makes me wish the house was filled with the wonderful fragrance of gingerbread. But there is no baking in this sweltering July heat. So… will need to pull out a few holiday CDs and continue to celebrate the holidays in my little ol’ craft room! Falalalala la la la laaaaa! (PS- the sentiment on the back of the card reads, “Enjoy the sweets the season brings.”)
Entered into
CAS-usal Fridays- Christmas in July                       
     (cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com)
Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge                                        
     (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)
Di’s Digi Stamps- Christmas in July  
    (disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.co.uk)
Deep Ocean Challenge- Christmas in July                    
     (deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.com.au)
Christmas Cards All Year Round                                  
    (christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.co.uk)
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge    
    (craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com)
Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge2- Extra for July  
     (craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.co.uk)
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Use Plaid                          
     (simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge)
Cute Card Thursday- Ribbons & Bows                          
     (cutecardthursday.blogspot.com) 

Bugaboo Stamps is celebrating a Christmas in July event with daily challenges!
Here is my entry for Day 2 (July 16) Love the cute little reindeer brad!
Entered into
Bugaboo Stamps- Christmas in July (Sketch)  
        (catchthebugblog.blogspot.com)

I’m bouncing between seasons here to create a fun card using Summer Colors for Artistic Inspirations current Challenge. I especially love these cute little sunspecs… they took a little while to make, but they just scream Summer!
Entered into:
Artistic Inspirations Challenge- Summer Colors                        
     (artisticinspirationschallenges.blogspot.com.au)

This card is another entry into Poppy Power’s current challenge-“Copy a Bloomie” i.e. their design team members. This one was inspired by the card posted below that was created by the talented Cindy Lawrence!   (I love the simplicity of Cindy’s layouts, plus am amazed at the way that she decorates the insides of her cards to compliment the sentiment and image on the front of her cards. I am going to strive to CASE that in the coming days, too!) For my card I replaced the floral image with an adorable patchwork pony (free from Beccy’s Place this month) and also replaced the sprinkling of sequins with two well placed mini puffy heart stickers.
Entered into
Poppy Power- Copy the Bloomies                                 
    (http://powerpoppy.blogspot.com/2017/07/on-case.html)
Beccy’s Place Challenge- July                                     
    (beccysplace.blogspot.com)

Going a little out of the box for my next entry in Simon Says Monday Challenge- Distress It. I remembered doing soot stamping years ago… and I mean a few decades ago. Remember that it felt pretty rustic… and since it involves an open flame… is distressing in more ways than just a stamping technique. Couldn’t remember the specifics but found a simple tutorial here http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/soot_stamping. Tried a few images and liked the simplicity of this one best. Will make a nice masculine (PS I experimented with how close to hold the glossy card stock to the flame and found that I like holding it a little higher than most tutorials note. Lessens the chance of fire, and produces more of an even smoky tone. I also remember using our antique hurricane lamp to get a really nice layer of soot. I think that the burning oil helped with that. But... we sold that several moves ago. So... had to resort to the candle method. Also, found that cheap dollar store candles work best as they tend to create a bit more smoke. At least the ones I have did!)
Entered into
Simon Says Monday Challenge- Distress It                  
     (simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge)



12 comments:

  1. Your Christmas card is gorgeous Kathy, I love the trim around the apron and the cute little gingerbread men. It won't be long until you'll need to start doing some holiday planning!
    The sunshine card is fabulous... perfect for summer days or just to say "hi". His shades make him look extra cool!
    Your little horse card is adorable. I love the different papers you used to piece him together. The placement of the puffy heart is really sweet and a little bit cheeky.
    Your soot stained card is awesome! I remember doing this technique many years ago, but it never seemed to work very well. You've inspired me to give it another go!
    Cheers,
    Beccy

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  2. Beautiful Christmas shape card Kathy. Thank you for playing along with our Challenge at Digi Designs. We would love to see you again ... Anet DTx

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  3. Lots of lovely cards here, Kathy! So many ideas from the Christmas apron to soot stamping - I have to check that out. I'm so happy you shared your beautiful project with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge! hugs, Maura

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  4. Gorgeous collection of cards here Kathy! all of them are fabulous and I especially love the apron shaped Christmas card, super cute :-)

    thanks for joining us on the Simon Says Stamp Monday and Wednesday Challenges
    Luv
    Lols x x x

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  5. Very cute Christmas Apron. Thanks for playing along with Casual Fridays Christmas in July Challenge.

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  6. Thanks for joining us at CAS-ual Fridays with your cute apron card! Very creative!

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  7. I love that super cute Christmas apron! Thanks for sharing with us at CraftyHazelnut's Patterned Paper challenge!

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  8. What a lovely Christmas apron card! Good luck with our CAS-ual Fridays challenge!

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  9. What a great bunch of cards! That little apron card is adorable and almost makes me wish for the fragrances of Christmas baking as well. But since it reached 100 degrees here yesterday, there will be no baking at all! Anyway, super cute and a really fun shape, too. Thanks for playing with CHNCC2 and Di's Digi Designs.

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  10. I love all of your projects! Thanks so much for joining in our CIJ challenge for our sketch challenge, you did an aewsome job and we appreciate you playing along!

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  11. Thanks for entering all of my Craftyhazelnut's challenges with your lovely crafting - hope to see you again soon. x

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  12. So pretty Xmas card! Thank for playing with us at Di's Digi challenge.
    Nathalie DT

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Thanks you for your comments. They bring joy to my day!