I Love Card and Craft Challenges....

    Do you?   Not only do I love to create cards, I love to play in challenges!  For me they are the perfect way to practice card-making and challenge myself to come up with new ideas and designs.  Of course, there is also the chance that you might win a prize or have a card featured and that's also part of the fun.

    If you LOVE challenges, then I'd like to encourage you to come on over and join "The Outlawz Challenge Group".   It's totally FREE and open to all.  I've been a member since the day they started just a little over five years ago now, and it's FUN!   The group offers a new challenge each day of the week, and each day has a different theme.  I'm also delighted to be back as part of their Design Team and you'll find me in the "Festive Fridays" Challenge.  

   This challenge is based on all the fun and funky holidays and events that are held throughout the year and each week we offer you a choice of (4) themes to chose from.  Our themes for this week are:

• Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friend Day
• Dress up your Pet Day
• Feast of Fabulous Wild Men
• National Hat Day

    All you need to do is choose any one of these themes and create your projects, based on your interpretation of that theme.  You can play up to three times each week and use one or three different themes.      This week, I chose "Dress Up Your Pet Day", based on my love of Pups, and I created the card below with a super cute "digital image" that I bought a "Collective Creations" a fun little Etsy Store.

   My next two cards were created for challenges being hosted this week by Simon Says Stamp, one of my absolutely favorite places to shop for all my crafty needs!!  And speaking of SSS, I had the wonderful pleasure of attending the Simon Says Stamp Create 2015,  which was hosted in Ohio back in October.  One of my favorite classes was one that was taught by Shari Carroll and in that class we created a gorgeous canvas.   I did not finish mine that day and for travel reasons, decided it would be easier to assemble it, back home.   But...as things go, I put my "butterflies and hearts", somewhere in my craft room and then could not find them!   Happily in my "re-organization" this week, I found them and finally completed my canvas and am happy to share it with you  today!

   Each butterfly and heart was created using a different stamping or inking technique!  So FUN!!  I also have two similar collages that I created while taking the Inspiration Showcase class with Jennifer McGuire, first at my LSS and then later in the Online Card Classroom, and you can still take it by going HERE!!   I LOVE these classes n have taken EVERY one...Im' also very excited to be taking the net class which starts next Monday, January 25th -- Watercolor for Cardmakers - Intermediate Techniques!  I hope to see you there!!

   My first Simon Says Stamps Challenge card was created for their Monday Challenge, which this week is "Stencil It"!

   

   I used a Tim Holtz stencil with some Distress Ink to create my background for this card.  My cute lil' pup as then added with foam tape and I added a black strip for an accent, along with some bling and a cute little bow.  My card base is from Hero Arts, I love their cards and own them in several colors.

   My next card was created for the SSS Wedneday Challenge, where this week's theme is Ombre!  

 

 

   I used my favorite Hero Arts' Ombre Ink, in Purple, of course, for this card and simply took my ink pack and swiped it across my card front, for the funky kind of design.  I them added a few layers with some scraps of patterned paper and topped it off with my cute little puppy die cut.   The "Hello" sentiment on both cards is also from one of my favorite older sets of SSS Stamps, called "Square Sayings", which was designed by Kristina Werner!  

   Both of those cards were created yesterday at a fun little 'Craft Retreat" that I was invited to attend in my hometown.  It was hosted by my friend, "Tobey Shepherd" who is the owner of a lovely Bed and Breakfast, called "The Linden Tree Inn", where she often host "scrap and craft retreats".  I met the gals in this weekend's group several years ago, in an online group and every time they come to town, I go and "hang out" and craft with them.   Tobey is also an Amuse Demo and we she also hosted a fun workshop yesterday, where we created these adorable cards.  

   My last card for today was created today for the current challenge over at Cas(E) This Sketch, based on this sketch and today's new "CAS" challenge at "The Outlawz" where this week's theme is to add something "Sparkly" to your project.  I used Sparkle embossing powder and Lucy's Sequins.

    A bright pink card for Valentine's Day or any day you want to share LOVE!   My love die is from the Love You, die set by Simon Says Stamps and the "Hearts" are from this new set, by Poppy Stamps, which I cut down to fit the top of my card and then heat embossed with the Sparkle  embossing powder from Hero Arts.   To finish off this card I added some gorgeous sequins from "Lucys' Cards".

   I am in the very early stages of hoping to host a Craft Friends get-together, with Tobey at the Inn this Spring or Summer!  We are located in Rockport, MA, a lovely coastal community, just 30 miles North of Boston.   If you would like to learn more about our idea, please leave me a message or send me an email to Purple.Place@Outlook.com.    It would be open to all and would be a very relaxed getaway  for crafty friends who have never had the chance to meet and visit our area.  Again, if this might interest you, please let me know!  

  And now I'm off to get back to my huge re-organizing project!  I am also done with my craft room and am in the process of cleaning out a huge "craft" storage closet in our spare room.   Once I have this all done, I'm going to be selling a TON of craft goodies, (I have TOO much) and really want to see it all put to good use, not sitting in bins or boxes in my closet!!   Bye Bye for now and have a great weekend.  Happy Crafting!!