It's Challenge Monday....

...and that means I have two brand new challenges to invite you to join today.  The first is over at StampFairy and this one is going to be a lot of fun.  We are trying something different this week and the challenge is to create 'Anything but a Card'.   We want to see what you can create featuring any of the adorable StampFairy images, and the twist is that cards are the on thing NOT allowed for this challenge.

    Do you need some ideas?  Well if you do, head right on over the the Challenge Blog and you'll find some fabulous inspiration the Design Team has put together for you.

   I have to admit, when I first saw the challenge I felt a bit stumped myself.   As much as I love paper crafts, my favorite things to create are always cards.  I've never been very good with scrap-booking or other paper-crafts, and I greatly admire those who have all the wonderful talent.

   I did come up with an idea and it's something I've also used for gifts and holidays and it's is to alter and decorate 'Nugget Boxes' and fill them with the always yummy Hershey Nuggets.  This is a picture of my finished tin.

   I started my project by picking out this sweet little 'Clementine' image and paper-pieced and colored her in lovely shades of pink.  I then picked out some matching patterned paper and cut 12 them into 1 "   x  3 "   strips.   Next, I wrapped each Nugget and secured them with a strong adhesive.  Each of these 12 oz. tins will hold 12 Nuggets.   There are a variety of candies and tins you can buy, but I really like this size and I bought mine from PaperMart.   I buy a case at a time (24 - 12 oz.  tins) and keep them on hand for future projects.

   This is another view of the tin with Nuggets inside.  I like to use a few different papers and place the tins in a nice design in the tins.  This turned out to be a fun project and I'll be making some more in a variety of colors and designs for Easter gifts.

 
My fun new project is also being submitted to some other fun challenges outlined below ~

• Secret Crafter - Challenge # 123 - Sweet Treats
• Frosted Designs - Fabulous Friday - Use Metal on your Project
• The Cheerful Stamp Pad -Challenge # 12 - Anything but a card
• Gingerloft Challenges - # 12 - Our Furry Friends

   I also wanted to share a brand new release with you today and this set can be found in the store today.  It's a new set, perfect for spring and reminds me of the saying - 'April Showers bring Spring Flowers'.   This new release also features Gerda's newest character 'Patsy', a sweet little girl.

   I hope you'll come up with some really fun projects for the challenge.  Feel free to use ANY of the StampFairy images.  I'll be looking forward to seeing what you create!   You can find all the details on over at site, by clicking on the blinkie below.  Have FUN!!

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I also want to invite you over to the weekly 'Birthday Card' Challenge over at 'The Outlawz'. 

  Our challenge this week is another fun one and for this week. we want to see you create a Birthday Card that features using 'Ribbon or String and at least ONE circle' on your card.  As always, you must also include a birthday sentiment on the front of your card!   I created this card as some inspiration and to help you more, you'll find some wonderful cards the Design Team has created for you.

   This was a very easy and fun card to create and also a nice way to use scraps.  I cut a variety of circles using my new 'Grand Calibur' and then embossed two of the layers for more dimension.  I put them all together with a pretty match brand and then added my ribbon, a bow and some bling and my card was done.

   My Birthday card was also created with these challenges in mind and you all also invited to join me at each one:

• Crafty Ann's Challenge Blog - Challenge # 35 - Birthday Cards
• Stampin with the Dragon - Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays
• AiFactory Challenge - Challenge # 68 - Monochromatic
• Lily of the Valley - Challenge # 85 - Circles

   I also wanted to thank everyone for playing and being such great supporters of this fun new challenge group.  It's been a pleasure to be part of  'The Outlawz' Design Team for these past two months.  I will be looking forward to remaining a very active member of the group.   I enjoy the challenges very much and will now have more time to play too!