Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge - Sketch # 179

It was my pleasure to serve on this week's Design Team for the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge Blog, working on Sketch # 179, which is this simple design:

 

Sketches such as these encourage your creative thinking, especially when you're running low on mojo. Do stop by AHSC when you can for inspiration both from the Design Team and from those who participate. And do post your cards, layouts or projects that follow the challenge. I'd LOVE to see your work, too!

 

Here is my take on Sketch #179:

 

 

 

The supplies I used were:

 

Oh Deer! Paper Pack

Oh Deer! Complements

Sea Glass Glitter Paper

Desert Sand Exclusives Ink Stamp Pad

Sponge Daubers

Value Pack Pre-Cut Cards and Envelopes

 

Thanks for stopping by! 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspired by a Magazine, layers, layers, layers!

I'd like to show you a card that I made a few days ago, on which I've thrown everything at it -- everything except the kitchen sink, that is.  This is not one of those cards you make in bulk, that's for sure ...

 

 

I started with the adorable reindeer digital stamp from Meljen Designs, and colored it with Copic Markers.  I used Close To My Heart Stardust Glitz and CTMH sparkles on the image after I cut it into round using my Silhouette Cameo. I glammed up the reindeer with sparkle gems from my stash, and a white gel pen.

 

I created the scalloped eyelet circle edge on the Cameo, combining files for circles onto the scallop, sized to fit around my 4" circle. I cut it from CTMH cardstock.  I also used the Cameo to create the layers of frames (cut from paper by October Afternoon), as well as the stars next to the reindeer and the banner.

 

I stitched the frames using my Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond sewing machine.  The "celebrate" on the banner was stamped with CTMH's new font stamps from the "You Are My Happy" stamping trio.

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:  The CTMH "You Are My Happy" Stamp Set is available exclusively through the month of September, so this is the last day to take advantage of this very special offer: $10 for the trio, with a qualifying $50 purchase. Go here for more info: http://cardmonkey.ctmh.com/ctmh/promotions/campaigns/1309-national-stamping-month.aspx

 

One of the things that I wanted to pay special attention to is giving credit where credit is due.  Several of my readers ask where I find my inspiration, so this is the start of revealing the contents of my "Inspiration Station" -- where I go in my Paper Jungle to stir my creative juices....

 

Number one on my list is MAGAZINES! 

 

 

I take a slew of crafting magazines to bed with me -- they are the last thing I'm thinking about as I drift off to sleep. Then, as I dream, I'm conjuring up new ways of creating the favorite projects I see in the magazines.

 

The card I feature here today was inspired by a similar one that appeared on the cover of Cards and Crafts for Christmas Magazine, published by Practical Publishing out of the U.K.   Here it is, above.

 

Because I rely on magazines for my #1 inspiration, you can imagine my disappointment when Paper Crafts and Creative Keepsakes -- two of the industry's leading crafting magazines -- announced they were merging and ceasing the publication of their print publications. They will be co-publishing a digital magazine ... but it's not the same. Yes, you can bookmark pages on your computer, but you can't dog-ear and carry the magazine pages around, or rip them out to put in a binder for future inspiration. Oh, I am so disappointed!

 

...but thank you to the magazines for years of great ideas!

 

Join Me at Kathy Davis Studios for a jolly Holiday Cardmakers' Smorgasbord

Have you thought about taking a cardmaking class at Kathy Davis Studio?  Well, have *I* got a treat for you!

The next class I am teaching there is on Thursday, September 19, UPDATE: Changed to OCTOBER 3 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.  Initially billed as simply a "Holiday Cardmaking Class," I'm changing it up a bit to include more projects, more techniques, more designs ... and I hope, more fun!

Here are four of the cards I've made that will be available on the buffet:

There will be at least ten cards in all on the table from which attendees can choose to make.  The $10 class materials fee includes your choice of five of the cards to make.  Class participants will pick from 5 Christmas/Winter Holidays cards, 2 Thanksgiving cards, 2 Halloween cards, and 1 Hanukkah card. 

There will be all sorts of techniques to learn with each one, including simple stamping, fussy cutting, smudge edging, embossing, Copic coloring, paper piecing, and fancy folds.  Some cards are easier for beginning cardmakers, and some are a little more challenging for the more advanced. In other words, this class has something for everyone! 

To reserve your spot in the class (limit: 8 enrollees), contact me at cardmonkey@comcast.net, or contact bill@kathydavis.com.  I hope to see you there! 

P.S.  The cards shown here were all made using cardstock and B&T Duos from Close To My Heart. As a special offer, any one of my blog followers can join the "Kathy Davis Craft Classes" online party to order CTMH products for direct shipment to your home.  Just go to my CTMH Online Business Address at http://cardmonkey.ctmh.com and look to the right for the button that says JOIN. 

Clockwise from top left, these cards use:

(Top left):  Sarita B&T Duos paper pack along with the Hanukkah Celebration (A1147) stamp set;

(Top right): Huntington B&T Duo paper pack along with the Perfect Fit- Thanksgiving (B1427) stamp set;

(Bottom right):  Frosted B&T Duo paper pack, the Cricut Artbooking cartridge, solid cardstock in Ruby and Kraft and the Polar Bear Holiday (C1557) stamp set; and again,

(Bottom left): Huntington paper along with the Happy Autumn (D1550) stamp set. 

Christmas is in 223 days ... and NOT counting!

Let it be known that I have NOT yet started the 2012 Christmas Countdown but I wanted to try out my Silhouette Cameo cutting an intricate pattern in a smaller card-size. 

This lacy winter tree scene depicted here was designed by Lori Whitlock for Silhouette's online image store. Lori designed it to be a full 12x12" scrapbook background page. I reduced it to 5.75" square to mount it on a 6" square cream colored card. 

I wondered if the Cameo would be able to capture/cut the tiniest cuts -- see the snowflake at the very bottom? Unbelievably, the Cameo cut neatly through the Core-dinations cardstock I used, and the off-cuts adhered firmly to the cutting mat. I was amazed at how little "weeding" I had to do before affixing this card to the ivory base and calling it done.

Have you been attracted to the Silhouette Cameo yet? 



Creatively Yours,