Happily Ever Challenged #3 - Erin Go Green!

Hello all and welcome to the third installment of Happily Ever Challenged (HEC).  ;)

I've been beating up my brain to figure out a good challenge and I thought with the impending Irish day of days ahead, I'd toss you an O'Challenge rather than just a challenge!

Okay... here's the challenge:

You're challenged to come up with a Saint Patrick's Day card/box/layout/project, whatever.

You may only use SHADES OF GREEN. You may use dark green, sea green, blue-green, hunter green, olive green, mist green, lime green, etc. etc... but ONLY green. No white. No black. No other color but GREEN. Any text must also be green. Ribbons? Green. Buttons? Green.

(For bonus points make the envelope green, if you're making a card!) (Editing to add: by "bonus points"... figure of speech... to stretch your creativity. :) )

It's the ultimate monochromatic project!  ;)

(Yes, I understand some patterned paper and such has black outlines of green items and of course that's just fine!)  :)

Okay... the details:

1. You will create the project/card/layout, etc.
2. You will take photographs and put them in your blog, along with any text describing what you did.
3. You will put a link to THIS POST in your blog (so others can come join in the fun!)
4. You will then leave a comment to THIS POST with the URL link to your project post (not your general blog URL, but the specific project post).

On Friday, February 26 (in the afternoon sometime) I'll draw a random number. The number that coordinates with a legitimate comment (one that has a legitimate project URL) will win a $10 gift certificate to Papertrey Ink!  :)

The winner will have exactly ONE WEEK (until March 5) to contact me at

happilyevercrafter at gmail dot com with the email address they want the PTI gift certificate sent to!

If they do not reach me by that date, I will draw another number and continue until I have a winner. :)

Any questions? Leave them in the comments below and I'll do my best to answer them!

Thanks for playing...now go out there and GET GREEN!

Happily Ever Challenged #2 - Winner Declared!!

Wow, I can't believe I forgot to generate a random number! I thought for sure I said I'd draw the number on Friday, the 29th (made sense, last workday of the month!) but thanks to Kristen, she reminded me on another post to draw the number!

She thought for sure she jynxed herself... well, let's see how she did.

I used random.org and chose a number from 1 to 12 (those were the number of people who posted their links)...

Here's what random.org told me:

Seems like I need to choose the FIFTH person...and that seems to be:

*drumroll*

KRISTEN!

LOL! Whodathunk?! Seems like she anti-jynxed herself! ;)

Congrats, Kristen! I'll contact you to find out where I can email you your PTI $10 gift certificate! :)

And thanks again VERY much to all who participated! :)

Birthday Card - Dawn McVey's Color Challenge

Well, it's my first try taking Dawn McVey's Color Challenge #21.

Dawn's challenge was to use the following colors:

I'm new to challenges, but I think it's good in that it forces one to think a certain way or try something he/she may not have tried. I reckon that's why they call it a "challenge", eh?

Dawn mentioned that we don't have to use PTI colors, and that's a good thing because I only used Aqua Mist from PTI. :) I had no cream color paper (something I must remedy soon!) but found Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up!)  :)

Here's my card...

For the flower, I used a "Star Flower" punch and punched out two flowers. I then inked the edge of each petal and then stacked them, alternating the top one ever-so-slightly.

Here's a close-up of the flower...

Here's a close-up of the sentiment... a stamp from my stash (sorry I can't remember where I got it! :) )

Thanks for looking and/or commenting! :)

Recipe:

Stamps: From my stash
Ink: Bashful Blue (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Barely Banana, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!); Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink)
Other: Nestabilities, Scallop Edge Punch, Dark Chocolate buttons (Papertrey Ink), Rustic twine (Papertrey Ink), Dimensionals, ATG, Flower Punch, Dark Chocolate topnotch twill (Papertrey Ink)

Stamp Organization

n the Papertrey Ink forums, there was a discussion to share how we organize our stamps.

I created this brief (okay, thanks to my Italian long-windedness, it's over eight minutes!) video to show you all how I store, organize, and categorize my stamps.

I understand that we all do it differently, so if you have information on how you store your stamps, and want to share, please leave a link in the comments! :)

You may want to video to stream a bit before you hit play (ie. you may want to hit PAUSE and wait and have your computer "catch up" by allowing the video to feed a bit) so that you don't have it gutter and interrupt. :)

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to leave them in the comments and I'll update this post accordingly! :)

Thanks for watching!

Soaring by to Say Hi

Yesterday, a teammate let us know she had a VERY stressful week due to the parents of students in her class. I thought I'd whip up a little somethin-somethin to let her know I appreciate her in my grade level! :)

I pulled out my Everyday Button Bits from Papertrey Ink and had a lot of fun with it... :)

Not sure why, but I've always loved the concept of using buttons to embellish images... I guess it's just another way to express our imagination, eh? :)

Here's the card...

Here's a close-up of the balloons... :)

And a close-up of the sentiment... :)

Thanks for looking! :)
Recipe:

Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Brilliant Blue (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Apricot Appeal, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Other: Nestabilities, Scallop Edge Punch, Lemon Tart buttons (Papertrey Ink), Rustic twine (Papertrey Ink), Dimensionals, ATG

Leaf Window Card

I entered the Guest Star Stamper contest at Papertrey Ink in December with the following card.

I didn't win, but I had a lot of fun doing it and was proud of myself for actually submitting a card! :)

Here's the card...

A close-up of the embossed center...

A close-up of the bow...

Thanks for looking! :)

Recipe:

Stamps: Turning A New Leaf (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up!), Versamark
Paper: Mellow Moss, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Other: Mellow Moss 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon (Stampin' Up!), Heat Tool, Clear embossing powder, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Dimensionals, ATG

Edited to add:

I just learned today (thanks, Mandy!) that I got Honorable Mention for "Best Use of Leaves" in PTI's December Guest Star Stamper Contest! I can't begin to express how thrilled I am, because when you see the other entries, you'll understand my enthusiasm! To be consider even CLOSE to equal as the other entries, is so flattering... as they all did such beautiful work! :)  I'm on cloud nine...or even perhaps ten! :)
If you want to read about it, on Nichole Heady's blog.

Cutesy Cover Box

Hello all,

Well, I downloaded the free template from

My Time Made Easy

The owner, Lauren Meader is simply wonderful! She's so creative and her products really wowed me from when she created her first templates at Papertrey Ink. That's why, when I heard she was branching out on her own, I knew I had to follow her and find out what she would do next... :) Besides being artistic, she's very friendly and responds to emails quickly and with nothing but professional courtesy. I encourage you to check out her growing site. While it's just in the infancy stages, I think you'll be impressed with what promise it holds. Check out the butterfly stamps, for example. :)

The free template is called "Cutesy Cover" and it's pretty darned easy to assemble. She offers her products in many file formats (which can be used on various cutting machines (eg. Pazzles, Cricut, etc.) and easily imported and then cut)... so when I tried it on my Pazzles it was so nice to not have to cut out and to make sure all cuts were straight, etc. It also comes with instructions and for those of us who don't have a cutter, you can opt to purchase the templates in PDF format and either print them out on cardstock and cut them yourself, or cut it out on a template, trace around cardstock, and voila.

Here's what I came up with when I worked quickly (whipping it out... so don't expect a huge WOW factor!)  :)

I wanted it so that my recipient could open/close it fairly easy, so I attached some small velcro to the inside...

Here's a shot of the back...

As I said, my decorations didn't do the box justice... but I wanted to assemble and play with it quickly. :)

I hope you'll check out her site... I'm excited to see what the future holds. One interesting thing Lauren is doing is that many of her products coordinate. So, for example, her first "line of products" is a "Flutter" line (although that's the name, I'm sure) and she has butterfly acrylic stamps, digital papers, templates and other cute items having to do with butterflies.

The prices are very reasonable... for example, her cutables range from $2.50 for accents and $5.00 for boxes, etc.

Hehe, I know this sounds like a commercial, but I always admire people who are starting out businesses and since Lauren is so sweet, I want the very best for her. :)

Check out My Time Made Easy and I think you'll be happy you did.

Recipe:

Stamps: Just B (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Brocade Blue, Ballet Blue (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Ballet Blue (Stampin' Up!)
Other: White flowers (from bridal section of Michaels), Enchanted Evening Saddle Stitch ribbon and Buttons (Papertrey Ink), Cutesy Cover box (My Time Made Easy), Stickles, Velcro, Terrifically Tacky Tape, Pazzles

Mother Card

In a recent newsletter of Papertrey Ink, the feature article was how to use texture to enhance one's cards. The author shared a technique of using a paper edger and twine and I realized, "Hey! I have both a paper edger AND twine! I should try something like that!"

So, I made this card, with original intentions of sending it off to the troops with Operation: Write Home... but then my mom had a good point... the buttons may prove troublesome for one of the troops to send to his/her mom.  :(  So I told my mom that I hope she liked the card... it will be hers come Mother's Day!  ;)

Below is the result of my epiphany...

A closer look at the button "flowers". :)

Here's the edge of my paper after I used the paper edger and my fingernail...

A close-up of the sentiment with rhinestone...

Thanks for looking!

Recipe:

Stamps: Blooming Button Bits, Mega Mixed Messages (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Perfect Plum (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Creamy Caramel, Perfect Plum (Stampin' Up!)
Other: Edge Scraper, Rustic Twine (Papertrey Ink), Plum Pudding Buttons (Papertrey Ink), ATG, Silver Rhinestones (Papertrey Ink)

My first plaid --- er GINGHAM....background!

Well, a couple of days ago I received an eBay auction I won... Perfect Plaid by Stampin' Up! :)

I've wanted to try my hand at creating a plaid background and while I had fun doing it on the card depicted below, I think the outcome is more of a gingham than a plaid... so I'm still learning!

A close-up...

And a closer look...

Thanks for looking! :)

Recipe:
Stamps: Birthday Basics (Papertrey Ink); Perfect Plaid (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Green Gable, Only Orange, Apricot Appeal (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: So Saffron, Green Gable, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Other: Sew Mini, ATG, Dimensionals, Summer Sunrise Topnotch Twill & Summer Sunrise Buttons (both Papertrey Ink), Zots

Happily Ever Challenged #2

Well, it's that time of the month when I issue another challenge!  :)

For this challenge, I was originally going to do something that had to do with Valentine's, because I figure many paper crafters and crafters in general are preparing for next month's famous 14th. And then I got to thinking that I would have a challenge that would NOT allow the use of traditional V-Day colors (ie. reds, pinks, purples, etc.) Then I got to even more thinking about what else is coming up just a week earlier... and that's Superbowl XLIV. Now, how can I incorporate all this together? :) Yes, you got it!

Here's the challenge:

You'll make a Valentine's Day project (card, box, scrapbook layout, really ANYTHING) that follows these guidelines:
1. It must pertain to Valentine's Day, but it can be for ANYBODY (spouse, parent, child, mail carrier's mother-in-law's ex-physical therapist, ANYBODY).
2. You are limited to the colors you may use on the project:
        a. They MUST be the colors of a National Football League team (I'm providing a link later in this post of some logos, etc.)
        b. You STILL MAY NOT use traditional Valentine colors (red, purple, pink, lavender, etc.). This means teams such as the Cardinals or Buccaneers are out.  ;)
        c. You MAY add BLACK and/or WHITE to the card.
3. Post images and description on your blog.
4. (Optional) Post a link (or image) of the football team that inspired you.
5. In the same post (where you put the images of the project), put a link back to this post (in case others want to participate) :) Clarification: On your blog, you'll have a post showcasing your masterpiece. In that post, please put a link to THIS post on MY blog (this challenge) so that others who read YOUR post can participate if they want to... hope that is clear. :)
6. In a comment to this post, leave a link to your project.

Now, this is supposed to be for FUN, so I'm not going to be TOO much of a stickler on the above guidelines... just as long as you all have FUN! :)

What's in it for you, you ask? Well, I'm glad you asked. Besides the satisfaction of knowing that you've created a Valentine for that special somebody, you can actually earn a $10 gift certificate to Papertrey Ink!! :) Woot!

On Thursday, January 28 at about 4:00 PM PST (give or take a few minutes!) I will draw a random number (using a nifty Internet randomizer!) and will post the winner in another post.

That person will have until midnight, February 2 to contact me; I'll just need that person's email address to send the electronic Papertrey Ink gift certificate. :)

Any questions? Just ask in the comments! :)

P.S. While I love ALL comments folks, please know that the quidelines above need to be met in order to qualify for the gift certificate. In other words, if the number randomizer chooses your comment, but you didn't follow the guidelines, I will randomly choose another number until a comment meets those qualifications above. :) It's to be fair to everybody. Thanks for understanding! :)

P.P.S. I almost forgot!

Here's a link where you can find the NFL teams and their logos:

NFL Teams