Time for Tea!

It’s been awhile, but I had the honour of participating in another May Arts challenge, so today I wanted to share the project I created for the New Release challenge!

This is an altered teapot that I “gussied up” with some burlap and satin ribbon rosettes.  If you have never worked with burlap – it is so much fun!  It adds a wonderful texture to projects, and often behaves a little unexpectedly 

The burlap ribbon that May Arts sent out was a fantastic width – I actually ended up cutting in half to get a width that would work with my tea pot (and it ensured I have enough to make at least 3 flowers).  I simply used a rolling technique to get the large rosettes – interestingly enough, the same technique I used with the small pink rosettes!  You can see how each texture gives a unique effect!

Last, but certainly not least, I used some of the bright fushia ribbon to add some detailing at the back.  It was a great texture that actually stood up all on it’s own!  I also added a bit of the teal cording…you would not believe how soft this cording is.  I think it is a great contrast to all the other colours!

There are some amazing entries this time around, so make sure you check out what some of the other crafters created using these fun ribbons!  Maybe, just maybe, I’ll be part of the top ten!

Thanks for stopping by today!

No Crafter Left Behind Challenge!

Right now, a bunch of my crafting pals have gathered in Utah for the CropChocolate Spring Thing!  And while I wish I could have joined them for the chitchat, laughter, and maybe even a bit of crafting , work duties call!  After all, it probably isn’t the best idea for the teacher to skip out on the last two days of school, right??!!!

But, many of my other crafting pals from CC are also in the “left behind” group, and we wanted to have our own fun!  So, we banded together and decided to post some challenges to inspire our own craftiness this weekend.  So come on along and join the unofficial CropChocolate No Crafter Left Behind hop! If this is your first stop, make sure to head back to Kathy’s blog - to start!  You don’t want to miss a step because there are prizes to be won!

The ScrappyCanuck Challenge:

We have a lot of challenges for you this weekend, so my challenge to you is to create a layout in under one-hour.  That’s right – start to finish in one hour (excluding drying time).  Set a timer, and GO FOR IT!  And when that timer dings, walk away!  Yup – I know it might be tough, but we have some serious crafting to get through!  Oh, and if you are not a scrapbooker, cards work as well - but you only have 30 minutes!  You heard me!  Go!!!

Remember, you can combine this challenge with up to two others into one project, but you must link it up on each blog to be eligible in each challenge.  You have until Thursday, July 5th (9:00am MST) to submit your challenge using the Mr. Linky widget below!  Post your project to your own blog or online gallery, and then pop back here to show me all your amazingness!  I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Inspire me to give away some blog candy!!!

Now, it’s off to see what Karey2005 has up her sleeve for you!

Participating blogs:

• clayton528 – http://www.upinthenightwithkat.blogspot.com
• Scrappy Canuck – http://scrappycanuck.wordpress.com  <—–You are here
• Karey2005 – http://www.karey2005.blogspot.com
• by belle – http://stuffbybelle.blogspot.com
• bethd488 – http://engineeringmemories.blogspot.com
• scrapaddict-laura – http://scrapaddict4life.blogspot.com
• mom2tayandbay – www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com
• raebae – http://kitchentablescrapper.blogspot.com
• NinaN – http://ninastimeout.blogspot.ca
• Christina – http://www.thriftysisters-chris.blogspot.com
• Haf2scrap – (guest of centralnyscrapper) http://centralnyscrapper.blogspot.com
• NanCDru – Char - http://craftychicchar.blogspot.com/2012/06/for-those-who-are-left-behind-blog-hop.html

April Showers bring…

May Arts flowers of course!    I recently had a chance to participate in the May Arts/DCVW craft challenge.  Participants sent in ideas for projects, and 25 lucky ladies were chosen to receive some product to bring their idea to life! I was one of those lucky ladies, and about a month ago, I received half a stack of a DCWV stack called Snapshot and four different types of coordinating May Arts ribbon in the mail.  So, after getting over a bought of strep throat, I got my crafty on:

Created almost entirely from paper, the project idea was initially inspired by a picture I saw on Pinterest (featured at Better Homes and Gardens) showing a “real” version of this idea – an actual umbrella filled with beautiful, live flowers.  I was struck by the shapes, and realized how easy it would be to create a paper umbrella with just three paper cones.  The idea grew from there!

The Snapshot stack is filled with little Poloroid features which were fun to include in the design.  Each is actually a hidden journaling spot which could be used for pictures, journaling, or even a quote of saying!  Each flower also contains a ribbon element to add dimension and a bit of colour!  Some flowers were fussy cut, some were hand cut, and one was even created with the Cricut Flower Shoppe Cartridge.  There are even a couple of “ribbon only” rose buds in there!

Now, if receiving the items to create our projects wasn’t enough, May Arts and DCWV also selected 10 of the 25 projects to recevie even more product!  While all of the products were featured on Wednesday’s blog posts at MA and DCWV, today is the big day when the final winners are announced.  Is my umbrella there???  We’ll have to go and see!

Sending out a little thanks

Both the cupcake and "thanks" are free digis from Paper Smooches

Last month while travelling in B.C., we were lucky enough to be able to stay one night at a beautiful camp with family of a friend.  Since then, I have been meaning to send them a card for their hospitality, so today was the day to put one together so it could head out into the hands of our happy postal workers today.

I have to admit that it wasn’t until recently that I heard of something called “digis”.  Digis are digital stamps that you can use on projects – just print and go (think “clipart” that you can colour)!  What I didn’t realize was that there were also free digis out there – in fact, many stamp companies offer free digis that also compliment regular stamps.

I love the simple lines on these stamps! They pop right off the page!

One company I came across that offers both regular stamps and some free digis is called Paper Smooches.  I actually have a confession to make – while I was on the hunt for free stamps, I did end up ordering a set of their regular stamps too!  But while I anxiously wait for them to arrive (sometimes I hate cross border shopping), I thought I would give the whole digi thing a whirl.  I loved this cute cupcake and “thanks” sentiment and teamed them up for this creation.  I actually used 3 copies of the cupcake digi to achieve a layered effect on the image…one layer for the wrapper; the next for the icing; and the last for the cherry. With a bit of felt coloring, watercolour painting and Making Memories Just Chillin’ Girl ribbon, I think this card is pretty sweet!

And if you like Paper Smooches too, you need to check out the “Sparks Challenge“.  It was actually the picture for the October 20-Nov. 2 challenge that inspired this card – in this case, the shapes of the stamp I chose and the layout of the card!  It’s a fun way to get inspired to try something new!

THANKS to all of you for stopping by today!