5 Challenge Cards

Hey, everyone. It's been a while since I've had a chance to post some new cards. Life's been busy, and I've been under the weather. My voice is still hoarse, but since you can't hear me, it's all good. Alas, I did not get accepted to the Twisted Sketches new design team for cards. It's only my first try at any DT call, and I'm not giving up that easily. All in good time....

First, I'll start with the three cards I made for current challenges. (The other two are late, but I'll share them anyway.)

To see how the Design Team interpreted this sketch, check out the Card Patterns blog. This sketch #CP57 is sponsored by Hero Arts.

Below is my version. The green oval tag was my jumping-off point. Then I found the royal blue & green striped paper in my scraps. So, I used royal blue cardstock for the card. I lined the inside with green to make it easier to write on. A lot of my cards have bling on them. I decided to forego the bling and keep this one flat for easier mailing. Even the ribbon is thin.

This was the first time I had tried my new Martha Stewart scoring board on inexpensive cardstock (A.C. Moore store brand, I think). I still have tons of it, which I bought before Bazzill and DCWV's textured cardstock was available locally. I was really impressed with the scoring board because it made a nice, crisp fold on cardstock that would buckle & be unusable for a card base. The cardstock is a nice, heavy weight, and now that I can fold it, I'll be able to use more of it.

Supplies: K.I. Memories (oval tag), Uptown Rubber Stamps (sentiment stamp), Ranger (black ink & clear embossing powder), glue dot, Martha Stewart (scoring board).

Next up -- a color challenge, PDCC22.  Another first for me. This one's from The Play Date Cafe. I just discovered their blog recently. I found myself wishing I had some kraft cardstock, but instead I used what I had on hand.

That little butterfly was just sitting on my desk, looking for a home. I based the card around it, using burgundy ribbon and a floral pattern to bring in the other two colors. The result is a simple, all occasion card.

Supplies: DCWV (light blue cardstock), Tim Coffey for K & Co. (butterfly).

It's not often that I make a #10 card lengthwise, but that's what this next challenge entailed. It's from Mojo Monday, MOJO131.  I doubt I'll make this type of card again, but it was fun to give it a try.

Here's my interpretation. I pulled out my trusty bag of patterned paper scraps and found an abstract print I liked. Once I saw that I had purple cardstock and aqua ribbon, I knew I could make it work. I'd just used an oval on another challenge and decided to add some flowers and bling instead. I love the color combo.

Supplies: DCWV (cardstock), Prima (flowers), Brenda Walton for K & Co. (pink rhinestones).

I made the next two cards a while ago and didn't have a chance to take photos and post them for their respective challenges. First is a sketch I really liked and will probably use again. It's CPS158. I kept the color muted because I wanted to be able to use it as a sympathy card.

Supplies: Bazzill (cream card & black cardstock), DCWV La Creme matstack (patterned c/s), American Crafts (black satin ribbon), 2Peas Blocks - Card Sayings (sentiment), corner rounder, pop dots, glue dots.

And, last but not least, in Crazy 4 Challenges #C4C28, the challenge was to make a masculine card of any type. That's something a lot of us struggle with. I know I do. In this case, patterned cardstock from The Paper Loft made it easy. Just look at all that texture! That's man-land all the way.

Supplies: The Paper Loft (cardstock), Basic Grey (embellishment), Quickutz QuickStripz (blue adhesive c/s), twine, pop dots.

One day ... four sketch challenges!

It's official -- I've caught the challenge bug. I hear it's highly contagious. Just one innocent little sketch challenge can infect you with creativity and a burning desire to get your craft on. I know because it happened to me. :-) I have lots to show you, so I'd better get to it.

First up is CPS#154. For you non-crafters, the challenge usually involves a sketch you use as inspiration for your card (see below). You can read about the challenge and find links to the other participants at the CPS website.

Here's my interpretation of the design. The plaid cardstock was my jumping-off point. The card is a light sage green. I layered cardstock in burgundy and two additional shades of green from the plaid. I found three rich burgundy buttons in my stash, tied them with raffia and layered them on punched circles.

Supplies: DCWV (sage green cardstock), Imagination Project / Chloe's Closet (plaid c/s), QuicKutz (all other self-adhesive c/s), Xyron adhesive, glue dots, buttons & raffia.

Next stop on the challenge train is Crazy 4 Challenges. The sketch for C4C25 looks like this:

Another cool sketch!

And, here's my take on it. I was still feelin' the sage green from the previous challenge, so I went with it. One of my favorite things to do is mix patterns. The only three colors used on this card are red, green and black. The red flower is made of thick wool felt.

Supplies: Imaginisce (red, green & black graphic c/s), QuicKutz (dark green self-adhesive c/s), Hampton Art (sentiment stamp), Ranger (black ink and clear embossing powder), Prima (small flower), Brenda Walton for K & Co. (sage green rhinestones), Suze Weinberg (wonder tape), additional c/s, felt flower, rhinestone brad, Xyron adhesive, foam adhesive.

All aboard! There are still two more stops ... er, challenges to go! Next up is Card Patterns Sketch 52. 

This one was definitely out of my comfort zone, and I thought I was in trouble. I did some shopping in my own store to see what I had on hand. Like most of you, I've got -- dare I say -- too much stuff. Nah, who am I kidding? There's no such thing. Want to see what I found?

This Scenic Route chipboard set seemed to fit the bill. When I bought the set, I was planning to use the main girlfriends embellishment on a card. Now I had a reason to use the two square pieces, along with the 12x12 border that I cut in half. Finally, I've made a dent in that set!

I call this card, "Girl Power." The outer message says, "You are kind, beautiful, smart, genuine. I am kind, beautiful, smart, genuine." For the interior message, depending on the recipient, I like either: 

• We must be related! (or)
• Are you sure we're not related?

Supplies: Bazzill Basics (cardstock), Scenic Route Paper Co. (chipboard set), Provo Crafts & Art Accentz (Terrifically Tacky Tape), glue dots.

And, last but not least is the SSS44 challenge from The Sweet Stop. I love using flowers on my cards and have lots of different styles and brands. This challenge, I figured, should be right up my alley.

I had used a few of these glittered chipboard flowers before and didn't have enough of just the pink or white to make the entire card. So, I layered the pink & white, alternating them in each square. In the center, I added a large gem -- light pink on the white flowers and a darker, purplish pink on the pink flowers. The photo doesn't do this card justice. It's very girly-girl with lots of glittery goodness.

Supplies: Creative Memories (raspberry & pink cardstock), Making Memories (Shimmer Jigsaw pre-glittered chipboard flowers), Zig marker (aubergine), gems, glue dots, foam adhesive.

Thanks for looking! I'd love to know which card is your favorite and why. Comments and questions are always appreciated!!!