A Homespun Affair August Challenge: Colors, and the idea of a box

One of the newer digital online magazines is "A Homespun Affair," which is published monthly. You can get a free subscription by following this LINK.  

In the August 2012 edition, you'll see that I was honored when my Independence Day card was chosen as winner of the July challenge!  

For this month's challenge, there's a color challenge (blue, red and taupe) as well as a challenge to re-imagine one of the projects shown by the AHA design team in the August issue. This project I designed to answer the color challenge. It's also a prelude to projects that I will feature this weekend on the "School is Cool" Blog Hop.

 

Here are some of the details on how I made this project:

This month's AHA magazine also features a unique twist on an explosion box design by Tiffany Simmons, which I do want to try. It served as inspiration for the "box" but I wanted the gable design for the roof. 

I found this cute house box pattern on Silhouette America, and used my Silhouette Cameo to cut the file.  It was VERY quick and easy as you can see in the top left photo here. One piece, with scored fold lines, makes it easy to assemble.  I then set about making the project my own, by changing up the one side (to make a door instead of all windows) and embellishing with cut pieces and paper.

Stop back on Saturday and Sunday to see more companion pieces to this cute box!

 

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Celebrate Freedom Blog Hop - Day #2, celebrating with 3 more cards for the Fourth

Welcome to Day #2 of the Celebrate Freedom Blog Hop, sponsored by Lisa at Honeybearz Designs. 

Honestly, I don't think there's any place better in the whole U.S.of A. to celebrate Independence Day than in the City of Brotherly Love, my hometown, Philadelphia.  

If you've never been -- be sure to come at least once in your life to see Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center, the home of Betsy Ross, and more. History breathes here. 


Believe it or not, I once lived in a home modeled after the Betsy Ross house and built in the same era. Yes, it was teeny-tiny -- just 13' wide and 54' deep. But it was fun, fun, fun living in the cradle of history.

Yesterday, I showed you one of my favorite cards of all time ... be sure you see it. Here are some runner-ups that I made for this hop, too, for Day #2:

So, which of these three (above) is your favorite?  Answer that question in a comment here, and be eligible for an extra entry in this Hop's CardMonkey Blog Candy:

Now, what's a blog hop without a little candy? 

Well, I happen to have an extra copy of what may one day be a collector's copy of a magazine.

Yup, I bought a copy before I remembered that I also subscribe. (Duhhh!)  Anywhooo... did you know "Scrapbooks, Etc." is ceasing publication with this, its August 2012 issue?  Dang it all ... I enjoyed it!  The copy I send to you will be the just-bought issue, not this dog-earred ratty/read copy.  

To win it, please be a follower of my blog, and leave a comment here. Please be sure that your comment today answers the question (above), and also provides a way for me to contact you when you win.

I hope you've enjoyed this hop. I'm the last stop (phew! You made it!) ... but if you've just happened upon me here, why not start at the very beginning and see what other projects might trigger your crafting mojo.  Here's the line-up, with not-to-be-missed projects and some more blog candy:

Lisa ~ http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/

Jamie - http://www.jamielindstromdesigns.com/

Pam - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com/

Michele ~ http://michelescraftroom.blogspot.com/

Maria - http://JoyfulStamper.blogspot.com/

Ashley - http://thebloghopprincess.blogspot.com/

Madge- http://www.thescrappinlounge.com/

Tahi - http://tahisscrapcorner.blogspot.com/

Diana - http://daisylovecreations.blogspot.com/

Miranda - http://www.nanasscrapspot.com/

Jessi http://mylifeinartscrafts.blogspot.com/

Ellen ♥ CardMonkey ~ http://cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com/

P.S. The votes are in! The favorite card here, selected by PaperJungle readers, is "Let Freedom Ring." Thank you to all who voted. I'll be linking the winner up to "A Homespun Affair", the new digital magazine. Check it out and sign up ... it's free!

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

Celebrate Freedom Blog Hop - Day 1

It is my honor to participate in the Celebrate Freedom Blog Hop, sponsored by Lisa at Honeybearz Designs. 

Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA

While I have always honored our country's liberties and celebrate Independence in its national birthplace of Philadelphia, eighteen years ago on July 1, 1994, personal freedom took on a whole different meaning for me.

NOT looking like this!

On that day, I mustered the strength to leave a marriage that was unkind and abusive. It was a hot 95 degrees then too ... and I wore a hot (very hot!) pink sweatsuit to prove it, I guess ... as I packed up half our worldly possessions, and moved myself and my daughter Emily into our own safe place, and a new life.

The separation and divorce were a struggle ... it took a revolution to be free. It took strength and determination. And ever since then, Independence Day means a great deal to me personally, and I celebrate it loud and proud.

This year, I'm celebrating by making what I think is one of my very favorite cards, and I'll show it to you here. 

Here's the outside, and supplies listing:

This is how it looks, opened up.

I think my card turned out pretty spankin' good, if I do say so myself. This tri-fold shutter fold technique doesn't always work with your design ... but I think it does here. 

Come back tomorrow when I'll show you a few more cards that I made for the holiday. 

Now, what's a blog hop without a little candy? 

Well, I happen to have an extra copy of what may one day be a collector's copy of a magazine.

Yup, I bought a copy before I remembered that I also subscribe. (Duhhh!)  Anywhooo... did you know "Scrapbooks, Etc." is ceasing publication with this, its August 2012 issue?  Dang it all ... I enjoyed it!  The copy I send to you will be the just-bought issue, not this dog-earred ratty/read copy.  

To win it, please be a follower of my blog, and leave a comment here. Please be sure that your comment provides a way for me to contact you when you win.

I hope you've enjoyed this hop. I'm the last stop (phew! You made it!) ... but if you've just happened upon me here, why not start at the very beginning and see what other projects might trigger your crafting mojo.  Here's the line-up, with not-to-be-missed projects and some more blog candy:

Lisa ~ http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/

Jamie - http://www.jamielindstromdesigns.com/

Pam - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com/

Michele ~ http://michelescraftroom.blogspot.com/

Maria - http://JoyfulStamper.blogspot.com/

Ashley - http://thebloghopprincess.blogspot.com/

Madge- http://www.thescrappinlounge.com/

Tahi - http://tahisscrapcorner.blogspot.com/

Diana - http://daisylovecreations.blogspot.com/

Miranda - http://www.nanasscrapspot.com/

Jessi http://mylifeinartscrafts.blogspot.com/

Ellen ♥ CardMonkey ~ http://cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com/

Update:  I completely forgot. I wanted to include a song that was my Mantra that summer so many years ago on Independence Day. Here's a YouTube video featuring the original artist, Martina McBride, with lyrics.  "Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong, it's Independence Day..."

For all of you who may be needing extra strength today, this is for you:



P.S. I will be linking this post to a Red-White-and-Blue Challenge for "A Homespun Affair," the new online magazine. Check it out!  

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,