The Challenge Spark (gift packaging)

Jane from White Orchid challenged Tara from Country Girl Creates and me to do something different from cards this week. She wanted us to show her some gift packaging.

When I have a gift that is either too odd shaped, pretty or large to wrap, I like to use ribbons and just dress up the gift itself. In this case, I have this sign I painted for a gardener friend, and I used the Bouquet Bigz L Die to make a yellow flower in keeping with the garden theme as well as ribbon and I personally think it looks just fine to gift to my friend without wrapping it up!

I thought of making smaller flowers and giving away packages of seeds this same way....really anything would work!

(Since I had this post finished and scheduled for today before we decided to let the Challenge Spark rest for several months, I'll still post it.)

The Challenge Spark (Happy Birthday to You!!!)

Tara from Country Girl Creates challenged Jane from White Orchid to make a birthday card this week. While that's pretty open-ended as far as style and age, I figured I'd try and make a birthday card totally unlike anything I ever (well, usually) do. Something clean and simple, yet layered. I went through my most unused dies as well as chose a stamp set I seldom use. And this is the result!

Happy 29th Birthday...

...from your 110lb friend!!!!!

The Challenge Spark and CYCI#70

Tara from Country Girl Creates got me interested in a new challenge, Can You Case It as well as our usual weekly Challenge Spark.

This week for CP it was my turn to choose something and I chose an easy topic: bridal. Since most of the brides from 2015 will be thinking wedding already, I thought we could make something wedding-ish or like I did, something for a bridal shower. I did tell Tara and Jane from White Orchid that we could add a picture tutorial for our cards this week IF we found the time, but HA! Time!! What's that??? I never found it, so the tutorial didn't get done!

However, I was able to use this card for both "bridal" from our Challenge Spark as well as "May Flowers" from CYCI.

All product is from Stampin' Up. I'm LOVING this new set Sprinkles of Life, which you can purchase through me from SU as soon as June 2nd. And get this!! It's got a coordinating punch!!!

You will see more of this set next Friday as our Challenge Spark, Jane's choosing this time, is Showcasing New Product, from the new annual catty. Stay tuned, my friends!!

(Need a catalogue? Let me know...)

Challenge Spark (ombre technique)

This time Tara from Country Girl Creates challenged Jane from White Orchid and me to come up with a card using the ombre technique. I've loved this look ever since I saw it the first time. If you check it out on Pinterest, you will see many many ways to create it. Often a brayer is used. This time I chose to use the Stampin' Spritzer. I loaded it with plain water and then added a few drops of Tempting Turquoise re-inker. It's a first for me, so I kinda just winged it! (If winged is a word! Ha!) First I spritzed a little all over the paper and then dried it with my heat gun. I spritzed layer after layer, concentrating on the bottom right side. I heat-dried it every time. After I was done I sponged a teeny bit of navy in the darkest corner, embossed the stars on with the star embossing folder and then added the rest of my yellow embellishments and focal points.

Challenge Spark (retired product)

Jane from White Orchid asked Tara from Country Girl Creates  and me already LAST WEEK to create something using a retiring product. Due to springtime busyness I had to delay my submission. However, I DID want to post something yet and HERE I AM!!!

It makes me soooo sad that the Dictionary background stamp is retiring, but surely SURELY Stampin' Up will have a really nice replacement for us. The teacher in me has considered this stamp a favorite for the few short years it's been available. Maybe we'll see some good teacher and school themed product. Cross your fingers!

This card isn't layered as it appears. I did a bunch of masking and sponging, my favorite technique! Maybe I'm lazy, but I don't enjoy cutting out very much! Give us a sponge and ink pad and we're away!!!

Challenge Spark (retired product)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She who prides herself in being on time ALWAYS or even EARLY...is running dreadfully behind!! I'll let my new baby chicks and ducklings tell you a huge SORRY for me! Truly I'm having a lotta fun with the babies, and my crafting table is a lot smaller due to an incubator (my Prize White Hen!) who should shortly deliver us a batch of quail and a big big batch of novelty chicks.

But Jane has a challenge for us that I MUST find the time to do between fluffy chicks and their needs! And believe it or not, I JUST decided what to do with which retiring product just as I typed in that line there! Ha! Tara will also have a fabulous card to show us I'm certain, so just hop on over and see what marvelous things these two girls have on their sites. I've often been amazed how differently our three minds interpret a challenge, each coming up with a wonderful idea. But lately it seems ESPECIALLY that way! I look at Jane's or Tara's example for Challenge Spark and say to myself, "WOW! That's gorgeous! I'm gonna use that idea myself!" So ya, click on their names above and you will behold beautiful sites!

Ok, I must run, but I will be back. I've got something brewing for today's Challenge Spark and hopefully I can get it uploaded onto here in a day or two! Next week Tara's asking for the ombre technique and I also have a delicious idea stewing for that one!

Till then...happy cardmaking! AND HAPPY SPRING!!! (Does it do for you what it does for me?? Put a SPRING into your step and a smile on your face and a song in your heart?!)

The Challenge Spark (something tropical)

This week, since I am so loving anything springy and colorful, I challenged Jane and Tara to "think tropical" with me, using coral, yellow and green. My inspiration was triggered by this card by Ann Fitzgerald via Pinterest and I followed her directions, except for adding Butterfly Basics fern image on watercolor paper and then misting it, before adhering the heliconia blossom. I also added the rhinestones as water droplets. See? I was aiming for a rain foresty jungly look! All we need is a parrot and a monkey.

Next week Jane says we will make a card using something currently retired. Make sense? Not really? Newly retired. Is that better??!! The new catalogue is on the brink of bursting into our lives so now's the time to order those retiring products that you still have on your wish list.

The Challenge Spark (Pop-up card)

Tara challenged Jane and me to do the absolute IMPOSSIBLE!!! She chose a pop-up card for our challenge spark this week. When I heard what she chose...well...my eyes got bigger and bigger and I yelled, "OH NO!!!" in my mind! (In case you're wondering just how animated I really am, well, not that much, anyway!) And so I googled it and this tutorial helped me tremendously with my pop-up box card.

Here it is! Hard to believe this summery bouquet full of butterflies and even a bird is a CARD!!! But yes, my friends, it is! And it was so much work I figured my dear MIL deserved it, since she's a marvelous lady and we love her! (Hi Mom!!)

I used DSP in coordinating design to make an envelope with SU's wonderful envelope punch board. (Tara and Jane, did you see that I actually used DSP TWICE for this card??? Did you SEE???!!!)

Now, my MIL is a smart lady, but I figured I'd pop a belly-band on my card to explain the why's and wherefore's of how to unfold this rather awkward looking package. Because if I got it in the mail, I just might say, "Hmmm, now WHAT is THIS and HOW do I unfold it?" And I'm smart, too...so....

 That's it for today folks. It's ready to pop in the mail as soon as I address it to my husband's dear mom!

The Challenge Spark (CASE from SU catty)

So this week, Jane challenged Tara and me to CASE (copy and share everything) a card from the Stampin' Up catalogue. There are so many neat cards in there that it was a tough call. So! I got a certain precious 4-yr-old boy to tell me which one he liked best! He chose many of the stamps I used as well! So really, he gets the credit this time! (Thanks, Boy!)

I used the Moon Lake goose for this one, along with SU watercolor paper and inks. Gotta love that watercolor paper!! I stitched the watercolor paper on with white, just like the original card (bottom) but it lacked PUNCH, so I quick added a hot pink accent with my faithful sewing machine.

And for this card (above) I used the World of Dreams nest silhouette. I loved how the bright pink stitching just popped it and gave it life.

And this is the original card (below) from page 108 in the Annual Catalogue. It looks to me maybe they used canvas for their focal point, but since I don't have any on hand I substituted with watercolor paper.

   

And for next week, Tara says we're making you a pop-up card! Now THAT'S gonna be a real challenge as I've never EVER made one of those before! Check back...

The Challenge Spark (card for younger teenage boys)

This is quite possible my most difficult challenge ever. And I'm the one who chose it! You'd think I'd find it easy since boys are my LIFE! But, it's not. 

Jane from White Orchid and Tara from Country Girl {Creates} join me in this thought that it's simply NOT easy to come up with something boyish, especially for the young teenager. I'm looking forward to seeing what they have to inspire us with.

I came up with an idea that if I was the boy, what would I have to say about it? Probably "No girls allowed!" (sometimes, anyway!) So the front of my card was SUPPOSED to look like a hidden campsite with the inside depicting the site itself, somewhat camouflaged among the ferns from Butterfly Basics. Of course, only one person who's seen it yet, figured that out! 

So, what would you change? Honestly asking now!!!

The Challenge Spark (DSP aka designer series paper)

Tara from Country Girl {Creates} challenged Jane from White Orchid and me (from HERE!) to use SU's designer series paper for this card. Since I'm greatly DSP challenged, I used Irresistibly Yours from Saleabration. THAT STUFF I thought I MIGHT be able to use since it has my favorite EMBOSSING on it to ink over! 

I made both cards using the same emboss resist technique. That top one sure looks like St. Patrick's Day, but oh well! The bottom one looks like Easter! All without trying! LOL!

(Tara, don't do that to me again! Didn't your mom teach you that it's not nice to tease!)

Next week I'm challenging ALL of us to something none of us finds easy: something for a young teenage boy.

The Challenge Spark (quilted card)

Jane from  White Orchid challenged Tara from Country Girl {Creates} and me to quilt a card. Not literally, of course, but to give a card a warmhearted quilt-block style. We do this challenge spark thing every week, taking turns with the challenges. Next week Tara wants us to make something using SU's Designer Series Paper.

But back to the quilt card, I've never done one of these before, but I was kinda pleased with the old country-style look of the Cherry Cobbler and Baked Brown Sugar color combo. I finished it with "You warm my heart" from Sheltering Tree as well as a few ribbons and buttons. Oh! And I dare NOT forget! I used my beautiful Husqvarna sewing machine's feather stitch and sewed between the blocks!

Kinda makes me feel like doing more of these!

(challenge spark---realistic scene) hilltop camp-out

 

Since my favorite thing to do with cards besides embossing is making a scene (!) I wanted to see what Jane and Tara could teach me on this topic for our Challenge Spark this week! I also decided to use a stamp set I love but don't always know how to use. 

Basically what I did was stamp the tent on white cardstock as well as a sticky note (for a mask) and then also punched a 3/4" circle to mask off the moon. I then simply used various sponges to get the background color in and added some trees from Lovely as a Tree.

I keep forgetting to update you on the next challenge coming up. For next week, Jane is calling the shots and asking for a quilt card. You know? You sometimes see gorgeous cards that look like a quilt block? It's something I've always wanted to try and now here's my chance!

The Challenge Spark (seldom used SU product or tool)

In the post right before this one, I told you that Tara challenged Jane and me to use a tool or product we seldom find a purpose for. I chose my Pool Party embossing powder. On this card I did the same layered embossing technique I used for this card complete with a tutorial on that link.

I used waaaay less of the top-coat embossing powder on this one, just a few streaks here and there.

The Challenge Spark (seldom used SU tool or product)

Tara from Country Girl {Creates} challenged Jane from White Orchid and me to use something, either a tool or other item or product from Stampin' Up that we seldom use. I chose my Pool Party Stampin' Emboss powder. I embossed "from all of us" with it. I don't have any clue why I seldom use colored embossing powder. Guess I most often grab white or clear since I prefer using an emboss resist technique.

It's good to branch out and it worked well here, paired with the "Hello You" thinlits dies. Gotta love the combo!

The Challenge Spark (found art/item)

This week Jane from White Orchid challenged Tara from Country Girl {Creates} and me to FIND something and add it to our creation! So I found some burlap off my Basmati Rice bag! You know? I have such a hard time just trashing those bags since they are so lovely, but finally, how many burlap bags does one need to collect? Anyway, so I cut a strip and frayed the edges and center and made a "Miss You So Much" card.

MMMM, scrum! Those "Hello You" thinlits! and how wonderfully they pair up with the "Crazy about You" stamp set. Seems this is a break-through in my own creativity. Don't you just LOVE using different fonts together?!

And don't you just LOVE finding a practical use for Basmati Rice bags?!

The Challenge Spark (fun and fancy folds)

 This week it's my turn to choose the Challenge Spark and I chose to do Fun and Fancy Folds. Something out of the ordinary. I like trying a new size and shape other than the standard quarter-fold cards. So here's what I came up with for entries. Go to Tara's blog and visit Jane's as well to see what my other team players have created!

This card (above) uses the Label Card Thinlits die and I think it's the first card I've ever actually LIKED that I made with that die. The reason? I can't nicely wrap my head around decorating three faces of varying size and shape. So this time I took some of both current and retired product and decided to try using mostly only one color with just a few accents. And I was happy with it!

This card is really really simple. Just cut off part of the front face and decorate both the very front and the inside. I used Butterfly Basics and also the flower punches with their matching stampsets. 

Challenge Spark (punch art---tulips) (tutorial)

 

Tara from Country Girl {Creates} challenged Jane from The White Orchid and me to our weekly Challenge Spark. She chose "Punch Art" as the topic of choice. Sometimes I study my punches to see what all they can do for me. Of course, they have their patented use, but like these tulips which were created using the Owl Builder Punch, they often have other very amazing abilities. 

I'm giving you a picture tutorial on these tulips since I can't find the original one anymore. 

I make these every spring. And I'm sooooo longing for spring that these beautiful blooms help un-drab-ify winter for me for a moment!

 

It takes two "owls" for each tulip flower. So punch two out of whatever color you like. I used Pink Pirouette for some of mine and for some I used So Saffron and Wisteria Wonder.

 Cut off the owl's feet! (Poor guy, but he won't mind; he's turning into a flower after all!) You can see that I drew the lines where I cut the second owl. I don't bother to draw those in usually and it's not an exact art; you can't make a mistake! Just fly with whatever way your scissors cuts!

Using a darker ink, sponge the edges of your flower and the extra petals.

Ugh, that's fuzzy! But you can see how I adhered the two petals together. They overlap on the bottom...

...until you snip off those extra points. 

Adhere the petals to the main flower body. And now your tulip is ready to bloom on a beautiful card! 

See how you can make use of them, below, or come up with your own gorgeous creations!

I'm convinced every tulip needs a rhinestone dew-drop. Once when I was teaching school we cut snips from different parts of the tulip, the stem, leaves, and whatever we could use. We placed the pieces under a microscope and WHAT A GORGEOUS whole 'nother world appeared before our eyes. So now when my spring gardens are alive with these flowers, I know that hidden inside them are rainbows and raindrops like you've never seen in your life before. Try it! They're hidden in there! And so, that's why I can't make these without a hint of the water droplets they hide inside their hearts! Hence, the rhinestones!

Love that cloud embossing folder. So sad it's not around anymore!

This is morning! In late April! It rained at night, so the tulip on the right is pouring her blessings out over the fence, which incidentally was made with the Bouquet Bigz L Die. It's the cutting-section designed to make Mum-type flowers, but I always see a picket fence when I look at it! My trusty ol' fringe scissors made those grasses in front of the fence. All stems and leaves were just freehand scissored.

And below is a small bouquet for you, my friend! 

The Challenge Spark (good ol' fashioned doodling!)

Jane from The White Orchid  challenged Tara from Country Girl {Creates} and me to create something fabulous with doodling. This was a REAL challenge for me, but I was happy with what came out of that marker! You can hardly see it on this card, but it's there if you look close. Find it?!

And here's one more Valentine's Day or Love card where I drew on the banner lines as well as the springs that the hearts hang from.

It turned into a fun Challenge Spark, our weekly challenge that we three girls take turns at--- tossing out an idea for the rest to create with us!

The Challenge Spark (all-white with pop of color) baby card

For this week's Challenge Spark I challenged Tara and Jane to show us their version of an all-white card or it could also be all-white with a pop of color. I'm not sure my little teeny bit of newsprint paper behind my baby carriage passes as a pop since it doesn't pop at all! But hey, I had to do the vintage thing again!

For this card I used "Baby's First" framelets dies and just punched a smaller circle out to add dimension to each wheel. It was really simple, but I like how elegant it turned out.