Wow.....

Look at this ladies!!! A new layout for our blog group blog!!!! Fabulous work Kelly!!! It's all nice and pretty to start challenges again in the new year!!! I hope you all are ready to get back into challenges...I know I am!!!

Critter Challenge #29

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!

I know, I know, it's not Christmas yet but we can pretend:) Today my daughter asked how many more months until Christmas and when I told 5 she was like wow...like wow I better be really good because Santa is already watching;)

So let's make a Christmas card with the following:
~at least one pastel color
~a snowflake
~ribbon and
~buttons

Please post your creations to your blog July24th-July26th and I'll pick a winner when I get back from vacation.

Have fun!

Critter Challenge #28

Hi everybody, this is my first time posting a challenge for the Crafty Critters!

My challenge to everyone is to follow the technique for creating a recessed window card on SCS. You can use any colors you want and it can be any size you want. The instructions are excellent and there is even a video on "You Tube" to look at.

Please post your card on your blog...July 10 - 12th. I know the Summer time is really busy but I'd love to see your entries!

I'll have a nice little surprise for the winner too!

Hugs, Marsha

Closing!!!! VSD #4

So I know you thought I would be popping in to just say good bye and good night to everyone, right!!??!?!?!!!!?

Well actually I have one last challenge for you and whoever participates will be entered into a "drawing" to win a little goodie bag from me. Remember you have until 8pm EST on Monday night to play.

So your last challenge is to create a card using this sketch:

VSD #4 Challenge #5

Christmas in July (???)

Since we are just a few short days away from July I thought for our 5th challege we would do a Christmas in July theme.

So your challenge is to create a Christmas card. That is it, nothing special required. NVR, just please try to use a minimum of 1 stamped image on your card.

Have fun!!

VSD #4 Challenge #4

Hello everyone and welcome back! I hope you had a productive and creative Saturday and are ready for more challenges.

I am so excited to start the day off with the first challenge! Since the 4th of July is getting close, my theme is going to be Stars and Stripes with a twist. The twist is that your card must be some shape other than the traditional square or rectangle.

Also, so my Canadian peeps can play along, you do not have to use red, white or blue. The only requirement is that there be Stars and Stripes and the card must be some other shape than a traditional square or rectangle.

Don't forget, you have until Monday 8:00 pm eastern to upload your creations. So have fun!

Here is mine:

Thanks for playing!
Nancy

VSD #4 Challenge #3 GET INSPIRED!!

Hello ladies! :)

Hope you are enjoying the VSD weekend so far! I am so excited to be hosting challenge #3!! Here is my challenge to you:

Get Inspired!!

This is a challenge for you to create something for yourself!! I want you to take a minute and jot down a few of your goals! Can be anything you are trying to accomplish or are working towards such as weight loss, financial freedom, daily strength etc. Now that you have made a quick list think about some of the things that inspire you! I want you to take a 4 x 6 piece of paper and create a piece of art work that you can display in your craft space that will provide you with daily inspiration! You can use your favorite colors, quotes, pictures, stamps, digi images, magazine articles, candy wrappers, dollar bills, anything that inspires you!! The sky is the limit!! The only requirement is that the finished size be 4 x 6.

I cannot wait to see what you all come up with! :)

Please have them displayed on your blog by Monday night at 8 pm! Thanks for playing along!

Big hug!
AnnMarie

VSD #4 Challenge #2

Hello ladies!!!

Are we having fun yet?
Wasn't April's challenge great! I've never made one of those!

CHALLENGE #2

I've got a color challenge for you with a theme twist...

Your colors are:

Chocolate Chip

More Mustard

Old Olive

Basic gray

Very Vanilla

Here's the picture I drew the color inspiration from:



Guess where this arrangement is in my house.....on the back of my toilet. Well now, isn't that inspiring?!!!! hahahahahaha

Now for the theme twist. I NEVER have masculine cards around when I need them. I'm not good at doing masculine either....so.....Make your creation with manly men in mind.

Also, use pewter or silver embellishments.

So, to summarize:

1. Make a card/project using as many of the colors listed as possible. Get as close as you can. It doesn't have to be the exact SU! color.
2. Make your project masculine
3. Use pewter or silver embellishments.

Here's mine:


My card base is Very Vanilla. Then I punched out squares of more mustard, basic gray, chocolate chip and old olive and stamped on top of them with my SU! Sanded b/g stamp. "Thanks" is from the SU! Fundamental Phrases set and I punched it with my large oval punch. Then for my silver embellishments I used my SU! vintage brads. Is it masculine enough? No flowers or lacy ribbon...I think it's okay :)

Your Turn!

READY? SET....CREATE!!!!

Thanks for playing!

Blessings...
Melina

VSD #4 Challenge #1

Hello Ladies.....How is everyone today? I hope you are ready for your first challenge of our wonderful weekend VSD! I told you all you'd need acrylic or transparency sheets for my challenge because we are making acetate cards today!

Here is the tutorial on SCS~acetate card

If you need some more inspiration...as if mine isn't enough...lol...here is the gallery FULL of ideas~acetate gallery

This card can be any theme you want it to be and you can make it any way you want it. You don't even need to stamp on the acetate directly if you don't have the right kind of ink. Once you look through the gallery you will see many ideas and veriations on how to use this awesome stuff. Can I just say...I loved making this card and will surely be doing more of them!

Tips:

~if stamping directly onto the acetate....take your time and be very careful, if you use Staz-On ink other and opaque white the ink is very slippery on the acetate and will smear....keep a wipe or something handy to quickly wipe away your mistake and try again. The opaque white works pretty good though..it's a bit more sticky.

~don't use stickles on the acetate...I did as you can see here and when I folded the top down I hit the stickles and they literally popped right off so I had to do it again...so stickles are not friendly on this surface.

~have fun with it and try different things...it really is fun to work with and play around with. I really love the way my card came out (I don't brag very much about my work but this one...I love).

Here is the prize I am giving away to one lucky winner of this challenge...is buying some acetate worth it now???? HUH....come on...don't be shy!!!!

SU! Welcome Neighbor DP 8x8 pack

Wiff Of Joy stamp

And you do have until Monday night to post your creation and link it to this post so get movin!

*You can work on this during VSD* Crafty Critters Challenge#28 *Post by Monday at 8pm*

Alright ladies its my turn and I want you guys to pull out your Cricut and make a card. Lately I have enjoyed coming up with fun and elegant cards using my Cricut.I hope you all enjoy this challenge I can't wait to see what you guys come up with.

Challenge Details

~ Create a Summer card using any color or cartridge .

~ Add brads and flowers

Make sure your cards are posted on your blogs between June 26-28

Thanks for playing along ladies I hope you enjoy the challenge!!

Terria

Critter Challenge #27

Hello! Sorry I'm late posting the challenge this month. Better late than never, right?! LOL

My challenge to everyone is to follow SCS color challenge 272. The colors are: real red, bermuda bay & kraft. My additional challenge is to make this as a Christmas card! I know...isn't it early for Christmas? But...you know we never have enough of them when Christmas actually gets here!

Please post your card on your blog...June 12-14th. I know we're all busy right now, but lets try and join together for this challenge ladies! Hugs!! Jennnifer

Challenge #26

My turn to give you a challenge.... and I'm sure you will not be surprised with what I'm challenging you to do........ yep you guessed it... ANOTHER scrapbook page.... and once again, if you don't scrapbook, that's okay... you can use the sketch to make a card. Whatever works best for you!!

So... April.. I know you've been looking for a kick in gear.. this is it... the time is now... get that first page done and I'm sure you will be flying through them in no time.

Now.. on to the challenge....

I want to see a double page layout (for those of you who are card makers - make two cards)..

Please use the following sketches...
Page 1
Page 2

I don't want to limit you to anything else.... so no other requirements...

I have wanting to use an 8x10 photo on a scrapbook page.. something I have never done - however if you don't have an 8x10 - you can either mat up a 5x7 or use two 4x6s and mat them together to make a 6x8 or whatever works best for you.

Have fun! Can't wait to see what you ALL do! :)

Creations are to be posted on your blogs May 1-3.

VSD Challenge # 5...

Hi friends! It's me Jennifer, and I'm bringing our 5th challenge to you. I wanted to do something that all of us could participate in, but put a twist to it. So, I'm going to have you do a Recipe Challenge. Here are the deets!

1. Use 1 image.
2. Use 2 ribbons.
3. Use 3 different layers, at least.

And the twist...use something blue on your card. It doesn't matter what it is, or how much/little, just as long as some blue is on your card.

Hope you enjoy the challenge! Hugs! Jennifer

VSD #3 - Challenge #4 - Greeting Farm

Ok so here is my challenge VSD #3 challeng for you.

I'm pretty sure all of us have a Greeting Farm images. If you DO NOT then please use any image you would like. From what I have observed I think most of us are good to go.

1. Use the colors pink and blue on your card. You can use other colors as accents but I want pink and blue to be your main colors.

2. Second use SCS sketch SC265. Make sure you upload your card (or scrapbook page) to your blog and to your SCS gallery.

3. Use a Greeting Farm image.

Have fun!!!

VSD Challenge #3

Hi Ladies!!!! I hope everyone is getting scrappy today...I know I am:) A month or so ago I made a photo card for one of my DT's and I really enjoyed it. I can send it to someone in my family and they can put it in a frame or display it on a stand.

So here is my challenge:
~make a card with a photo on it
~use doodling on the photo or card or both...like this...

For those of you that enter a card I will draw a prize;)

Lesley

VSD #3 Challenge #2

Ok.. I know a lot of you are going to hate me.. but I'm challenging you to make a scrapbook page. I'm pretty sure just about everyone scraps... (even though some of you haven't in years!) and if you don't.. then adapt this to a card.

Please use the following sketch.

Please make sure you use a stamp on your layout.

And since our theme is spring, please use the colours green and yellow somewhere on your layout... stamp, paper, embellishments.. etc...

I am also challenging you to enter your project into a challenge blog... You can enter it at the Scrap and Stamp Saturday blog (that's where the sketch is from) and/or wherever you choose.

VSD 3 Challenge #1 - Paradise Inspiration

Welcome to VSD #3!

Hello! I am so excited about our 3rd Virtual Stamp Day! I'm even more excited that I'm able to host a challenge!
Our VSD #3 theme is Spring. So, I had this idea for a challenge in my head for a couple months...since the mention of a VSD #3. It can be looked at as Spring themed I guess if you think "hmmmm, this is somewhere I would loved to go on....Spring Break!" hee hee!

So, here's my challenge. It's an inspiration themed challenge with a recipe to go along with it.
Create a card, page, or 3D project designed around this picture:



Ahhhhh, do you feel like you are in Paradise? Look at the great look of these rocks, their grooves and shapes, the green landscape behind them and of course, the beautiful crystal clear water!

I would like you to design your project around this photo. Then, follow a few little requirements (recipe):

~ Only 1 embellishment
~ somewhere on your card use a crimper. If you don't have one, manually get the look of crimped paper/card stock by accordion folding it, then laying it out on your project.
~ Last but not least....NO COLORING! GASP!!!!!! I know right? But, isn't that why it's called a challenge? Get out all those solid stamps and colorful ink pads. Or, just use a sentiment as your main focus. It's totally up to you, but you can't color your image.

Okay now, take a deep breath. I know it's a lot to take in for your first crafty challenge of the day but I KNOW you can do it! I am in awe every week as I blog gaze at your beautiful creations so I am confident in your abilities to ROCK THIS CHALLENGE!!!! No pressure :)

Thanks so much for coming to check out my challenge. For the ladies that participate, I will put their names in a hat and draw for a winner of some crafty goodies!

**I have a Ladies Conference to attend and I am not "live" during this challenge post but I will be back soon to post my creation for this challenge**

Blessings...
Melina :)

Challenge #25 - - Challenge Combination

Hello, I decided to post our challenge a few days early so you would have time to think about it and possibly work on it over our VSD weekend. Just keep in mind, DO NOT POST YOUR CREATION ON YOUR BLOG UNTIL APIRL 17-18.

I know we all like to combine challenges. I see everyone doing it all the time on their blogs. So for this challenge it's going to be a Challenge Combination.

Element 1: Place a flower somewhere on your card. This can be a paper flower, prima flower, stamped flower image, flower dp, etc. As long as there is a flower on your card.

Element 2: Embossing, I want to see embossing. This can be dry embossing with your Cuttlebug or Big Shot or it can be heat embossing.

Element 3: Use SCS sketch SC273.

Have fun!!
-Melanie

Challenge #24.....Easel Card

That's right...we are going to be making an easel card for this challenge. I promise you this card is super easy to make. I know it looks hard but once you see the tutorial you'll realize just how simple it is...that is why we are doing this challenge...people think something is hard then try it and realize how easy and beautiful it is!!! So....here is the tutorial......easel card
But that's not all.....we are also going to make this a recipe challenge too.....
so you will need to include on your card

1. thing that glitters
2. ribbons
3. layers (at least)...so layer that card up!!!
4. colors...colors on your image, on your DP, on the ribbon whatever...just as long as there are 4 different colors on your card!

Can we handle this? I think so....and also...you must enter your card in a challenge...just one challenge...that's all I'm asking...challenges can be so much fun and you just never know...you might just win!

Please have your cards on your blog no earlier than March 27th but no later than March 29th....so let's get to work!

Challenge #23...Spring is in the air so tell someone you care!!

Well hello Crafty Critters!! My turn to host our challenge and I just couldn't resist making Spring our focus this time! :) This is a two part challenge! The first part of the challenge is to make your project and the second part is to actually SEND it to some one that you care about! :) Here are the particulars:

**Use MoJo Sketch #130 (which can be found here!)
**Use Spring colors!
**Use either flowers or a Spring image!
**You MUST tell us (on your blog!) who you sent it to and the date you mailed it!
**Please post your wonderful creations between March 18th-21st

Cannot wait to see everyone's creations!! Have fun!

Big hug!
AnnMarie :)

Challenge #22 ~ Inspirational...um...maybe

Hello lovely ladies!!!
I'm so excited about hosting this go around.
My challenge to you is going to be inspirational...well I hope so anyway. :)
Here is a picture...



This is a flower arrangement I made about a year ago.
A few details: sand and river rock in the bottom, curly wood stems out of the top.
I wanted it to be a very natural looking arrangement...that's what I want you to keep in mind for this challenge....very natural, earthy creation. But, of course, there's a twist. I know lots of people looking at this picture would first think flowers right?....well the big challenge for you is not only to create a project using this picture as inspiration but you also CAN NOT use flowers on your creation. No flower embellishments, no flowers in your image, no flowers on your papers. Oh, I'm mean ain't I?! hee, hee!

So, to sum it up...
1. Use this picture as your inspiration for your project.
2. Keep your project natural and earthy.
3. You cannot use flowers of any kind on your creation.
4. Feel free to make anything paper crafty you like: card, tag, scrap page, 3D project, etc.

Have fun with it! I can't wait to see all the different things you all come up with!

Project posting dates: No earlier than March 9th, no later than March 14th.
I'll have a nice little goodie bag for our winner!

Blessings...
Melina

Challenge #21 - Sketchy with a Twist

Hi all! I'm excited to bring you this week's challenge! It's a sketch challenge with a twist. The sketch is from SCS - SC188 . You can use the sketch as is, or flip it, as long as we can see the sketch. The twist is to include the color brown somewhere on your card, and some sort of dots/circles. Please post your cards on your blog between February 28 and March 3.

Thanks for playing along!

Colleen

Are You Green?

Winner of Challenge #20

Melina

For Challenge #20 we are "Going Green"!
Are you "green with envy"?
Do you Reduce, Reuse, Recycle?
Or maybe, you have "the Luck o'the Irish"?
The specifics of this challenge are simple: show us how you go green!
Here's my take on the challenge:
The tag and the ribbon are recycled from a Christmas gift from Bath and Bodyworks. I covered the gift tag with Green Galore cs and added a "Kiss Me I'm Irish" rub on to the center. If you were to turn the tag over it has a pretty green snowflake printed on the backside...couldn't cover that up! Bling was added to the tag and the upper embossed portion of the card.
BTW, I'm not Irish, but have to join in on the fun!

Have fun "Going Green"!
Paige

Challenge #19

Hello ladies!!! I know you know what is coming up this weekend!!! That's right ... Valentine's Day!!! I love Valentine's Day!!! I am gonna go easy on ya this challenge ... enjoy ...



My challenge to you is to creat a card:

- using NO traditional Valentine's Day red and pink ... you may use other shades of it ... just not the regular shades ...
- at LEAST 2 different embellishments ...
- LAYER it up ... at LEAST 2 layers ...



Simple enough right???

Here is my sample:

As you can see I "redid" my Riley Valentine's Day card ... I was NOT happy with it ... it wasn't "Kelly" enough ... I needed more layers and embellishments ... LOL ... so "Kelly" up your Valentine's Day Card for me and if you are our winner you can win a SPECIAL prize!!!

Please have your challenge posted to your blog by 11:59 p.m., February 15th ... GOOD LUCK!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Stampingly yours, Kelly


Winner of Challenge #19

Melina

VSD 2 Challenge #4!!!

Hello ladies!!! I hope you are all having a BLAST!!! Here is your last ... but, certainly not least challenge of the day ... or night ... depending on where you are ... :-) ...

I would like for you to make a card using this layout:
(just pretend the 3 strips in the middle are even and all the same size ... I really did try!!! LOL ...)

Here is my sample:

All I ask is that you have your card posted to your blog by NOON tomorrow! (Monday the 8th) I will have Kayla and Kirstin choose their favorite card ... whoever they chose will win:

Good Luck and Happy Stampin'!

Kelly

VSD Challenge # 3

Hey guys!

I am just bouncing to be hosting challenge #3!! For your challenge today you will be making a gift box! It is a simple version of the 2, 4, 6, 8 box. You can choose the theme! Sky is the limit! The only rules are that you:

1) Use a punch somewhere on your box!

and

2) That you use ribbon somewhere on your box!

Here are your instructions:

1) Start with an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper.
2) Turn it sideways so that the 11" side is at the top.
3) Score at 2.5"...5"...7.5" and 10".
4) Turn paper sideways so that the 8.5" side is at the top and score at 2.5".
5) There will be a small piece on the bottom corner...cut that out and remove.
6) If you would like to stamp your box now is the time!! :)
7) Fold paper on all the score lines and assemble the box!
8) Decorate box!
**Remember to use a punch and ribbon somewhere on your box!

I will randomly choose a winner tonight after the close of VSD and announce the winner on my blog! I will send the winner a little goody! :)

Here is a visual for you (there are more pictures on my blog) :



Thanks for playing!

Big hug!
AnnMarie :)

VSD 2 Challenge #2

Hi ladies!
I'm so excited to be hosting a challenge for our second VSD!
I found the inspiration for my challenge from 12 years of marriage to my wonderful DH of which I celebrate....TODAY! I hope you enjoy what I came up with :)

Okay, here it goes...

My challenge to you is make any project: card, scrapbook page, 3D item, etc. but follow these 4 steps:

Use Something...

Old ~ We all have those embellishments that we're hoarding or that paper we've put back that we never get out because it's so special. Pull out those older items to create something wonderful.

New ~ I know you have something you purchased recently that you can't wait to try. Incorporate it into your project.

Borrowed ~ I know what you're thinking. How can I use something borrowed on my project? My idea behind this is using something you were given by a fellow crafter. It just needs to be something you DID NOT purchase yourself.

Blue ~ Incorporate something blue on your creation! Easy enough right?

Is it bringing back those wedding memories yet? hee! hee!

I can't wait to see what you create and I'll try and post a pic of my project a little later.

** Post your creation to your blog by 7pm tonight and your name will be entered for a chance to win some crafty goodies from me!

Blessings...
Melina

VSD 2 Challenge #1

Hi ladies! I'm excited to be bringing you the first challenge for our second VSD!

So without delay, here it is. Time to break out the ink! The challenge is to make a card with no layers, but having the illusion of layers. You may use ONE piece of cardstock (any color) and any embellishments. For a little twist, let's make it a spring theme. I think we could use a little thaw out, at least here in Ohio! Here' s the tutorial on SCS. There are also some great examples for inspiration in the gallery.

Please have your card posted on your blog and linked here by 7pm EST and I will have my son pick his favorite for a prize (TBD).

Can't wait to see what we all come up with!

Colleen

It's the 3 Challenge...Challenge #18!!!!

In order to get ready for our big Super Bowl Sunday VSD I thought I would throw a "pile it on" challenge for everyone!

Here are the details:
1. It can be any kind of boy card...in honor of those boys who are playing football on Sunday.
2. Plus you have to incorporate at least two other challenges from other blogs of your choice.
3. Don't use any bling on your card...boys don't like sparkly things...unless of course your a vampire:)

Your post must be scheduled to post at 10am EST on Feb 7th. This means you have between now and then to create your card and schedule it to post by this time and date. Please do not post earlier.

Guess what???? There are prizes too...I bet you can't guess how many????

That's right, 3!!!!!!!



Love ya,
Lesley

Winner of Challenge #18

Jennifer B.

Since many of us have page goals we are trying to reach. I thought it would be a wise idea to have a break in the card challenges and give you a page challenge. If you don't scrapbook, maybe try taking the rules and making a card with them.. the sketch might be a little difficult to trim down, but I know you are crafty and can do it!!

Here are the rules

1. Use the following sketch
2. Use only from your stash - no buying allowed!!
3. Use at least two different patterned papers.

You can make this one page - or two pages, but please use the sketch for at least one of the pages.

Layouts are to be posted on your blog sometime between January 23-27, 2010

That's it!
Moira

Winner of Challenge # 17

Melanie

Love is in the Air Color Combo Challenge #16

Are you ready for our next challenge? I sure am.

I am really excited to be hosting this next Crafty Critter Challenge and hope you will join us.

Februray is the month of love!

Here is my challenge........create a card for your Valentine using Pink, Red, White

and Black (as an accent only) color combo.

There are no vendor requirements.

Post your submission to your blog between January 13 - 18, 2010.

Thanks for playing along and happy crafting!

Tracey (traceyc0103)

Winner of our challenge was:
Lesley