winners: inspired by challenge

I'd like to thank Simon Says Stamp for another great chance to win a $50 voucher!!

The lucky (randomly drawn) winner for the inspired by challenge is...
 

69  ellie Knol

Please claim your prize within the next two weeks by emailing May. Now let's talk about the top 3 projects as chosen by the Stamp & Show design team.  This week the honors go to:


31  Paula W
99  Kirsten
110  Stacy 

Be sure to visit their blogs and check out their amazing entries. So inspiring! Congratulations to each of you on a challenge well done! Please email May for the Top 3 Blinkie.

 

I'd like to thank everyone who took part in the challenge. It is always a joy to see what you create. I'd also like to say thank you again to Simon Says Stamp for their generosity - each week we give away a $50 gift voucher to the shop that you can use to buy all kinds of fabulous stamps, inks, and paper crafting supplies. Remember - you just need to enter the challenge each week to be entered into the drawing!

Challenge: A little paper

Pads of small paper in 6x6 size have become all the rage in the crafting industry, and for those who make cards and other small projects it is a true blessing! Now there are small paper pads of cardstock, patterns, and just about any design you could choose. Whether you choose to use a small piece of a larger paper, or dig into your 6x6 paper pad stash this week we invite you to join us in using small sizes of paper!

Dan has uses small 6x6 designs by Tim Holtz as covers for his home-made pocket art journal.

I love how Tim Holtz includes 6x6 versions of his paper designs as part of his collections. When cardmaking, often a 12x12 design doesn't make sense when cut up into smaller pieces and that's when 6x6 pads or designs really come into their own. I saw of a similar style to this in a store recently and was shocked by how much they were charging for it. After having a good look at it I realised that I could easily make something similar myself, and here are the results! I've made a template you can use if you want to make one of your own. I used 6x6 designs from the Destinations paper sash along with one of Tim's new buckles, an ornate plate and some grungeboard.

Tracy was inspired to put 6x6 papers to work on a special birthday card for the challenge. 

 I love the Karen Burniston Flip Accordion Album die, its perfect for the embellished look I love, so much space to get creative. My husband works a great deal in London, and so I thought that this would be the perfect theme for his birthday card this year. The Bracket Frame and Label die makes decorating the flip album so easy and I loved using the Prima 6" x 6" Engraver paper pad to decorate and stamp throughout. I will definitely be decorating more of these, they are great fun and give movement and dimension to all your card makes.

Candy totally loves Tim Holtz' new French Industrial Paper Stash and it was the inspiration for this nostalgic 8x8 canvas.

How about all different size papers in one paper stash?  That is just one of the things I love about Tim Holtz' French Industrial Paper Stash.  I worked with everything from a 12x12 piece all the way down to a 2x2 square that I used as the background in my altered Pocket Watch. Originally silver, the Pen Nibs, the Philosophy Tag and the Mini Numerals take on a whole new antique gold look!  Even Chit Chat, technically small paper, was used in the Pocket Watch and the sentiment on the Label Pull. 

Suzz  used a series of scraps from the Bazzill Antique 6x6 papers to create a golden clipboard.  

 

The Bazzill papers are perfect for backgrounds because of the neutral colors and small patterns. I wanted to pair them with some golden touches and had this fantastic Wendy Vecchi Metallic Gold Embossing Paste begging to be used. I used the Crafters Workshop stencil along with the paste to create my golden clocks. I then decided to use the DarkRoom Door New York Volume I and Volume II to finish my Golden Opportunity clipboard.  

 

Anna-Karin made a learning-to-count board book using a lot of 6 x 6 in paper pads.

I love 6 x 6 papers and most of the patterned paper I use nowadays come from these pads. The smaller prints fit perfectly for my favourite ways of using patterned paper: die-cutting and stamping. This week, I made a board book teaching numbers and counting. The pages were made by covering mat board with different 6 x 6 papers from BasicGrey and Studio Calico. I used the fun Sizzix Opening Door die to make doors on each page, which open to reveal different stamped images, of course the same number of images as the number on each door. Tim Holtz new Numeric stamps were perfect for stamping large numbers on the doors (0-10) and I also spelled each number with Hero Arts Playful Flower Letters.

Trace uses her 6X6 paper packs for cards, scrapbooking, and mixed media .

I really don't think I could craft without 6X6 paper pads, especially for cards; because the scale of the pattern on the papers is just right. In this 6X6 pad from Basic Grey-PB & J, the designers have done all the work for me by coordinating all the colours and patterns! All I had to do was add some neutrals like this Ranger Foil Tape which I scored using a must have tool, my Martha Stewart Score Board; and Prima Galaxy Stars and voila, done!

A scrapper at heart, Ashli is always sure to pick up the 6x6 pad in her favorite paper collections!

I love every little bit of Alison Kreft's Composition and Color, so I just had to grab the Petit Papers in addition too all of the other lovelies. One of the best things about the 6x6 paper size is how well it works within the 12x12 format. I selected my favorite patterns to create a base for my vintage photo. After stenciling on a quick pattern and playing with watercolor, I layered up all of my paper bits and journaling cards. This pack full of delicate little patterns certainly made for some scrappy fun!

Graduation time is right around the corner, so Anita took this tiny paper opportunity to make a little card.

 

Since learning to mix it up with different types of media on paper, I rarely buy any more paper, but rather alter the paper I already own. So when I read what the challenge was to be, I knew I only had one pad of 6x6 inch paper and that was the Tim Holtz Core-dinations Shattered Kraft Core Collection, so naturally I used that here on this graduation card, made from Wendy Vecchi's Art Parts Art Journal with Etched Frame. I covered the main piece of the journal turned card with a 12x12 sheet of paper from Tim's Idea-ology Lost & Found Paper Stack, that I cut into four 6x6 inch pieces, so don't be afraid to cut a larger sheet down to use for this challenge.

Sandra Mouwen is a real typical hoarder as it comes to 6x6 paper pads, she hoards but hardly uses them.

I need to use my 6x6 paper pads more often, so this challenge was not only fun, but also a really useful one for me! I used Meadowlark of My Mind's Eye. I love that black and white paper pad! I made this drawer cabinet out of Black Bazzil cardstock a while ago, but it was a bit plain. It needed to spruce it up! So out came the Multi Medium Matte and some Brushes, and started collaging the whole thing. It needed some color, with the Pool Paint Dabber I went over all the edges.

Sarah decided to go petite on all levels with her tribute to a little paper.

I have always enjoyed creating and crafting 'in small'. I love working in detail and seeing how much I can put into one project. I thought it would be fun to create a mini book using Tim's Destinations Paper Stash and went for the Steampunk page as it seems like ages since I played around in that style. Time to ink up those fine looking Gents! The book is made using one piece of 12 inch paper and is adorned with lots of smaller paper pieces and mini-tags from the same stash plus a whole range of Idea-ology including a die-cut bookplate and trinket pin.

 

For more inspiration click on our design team's blog links so you can see more photos (and full supply lists) for their projects. Then we hope you'll grab a little paper and join us in the fun!

 

As always, Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $50 gift voucher that will go to a random entry chosen by Random Generator. To qualify all you need to do is create a new project that ties in (in any way!) with our theme and post it, along with a link back to this challenge, and add a link here. This challenge will end at 11:59pm on Sunday May 19th  Eastern Time.

For the full rules, read the "challenge rules" posted in the side-bar here on our blog.

 

 

 

 

 

Winners: Passport to Fun

There are some exciting things in the works here at Simon Says Stamp and Show - we can hardly wait for you to see! Right now though, it's time to talk about the Passport to Fun challenge -and another AMAZING batch of entries! Before we get to that, I'd like to thank Simon Says Stamp for another great chance to win a $50 voucher!!

The lucky (randomly drawn) winner for the Passport to Fun challenge is...
 

29 Arnoldo L Romero

Please claim your prize within the next two weeks by emailing May . Now let's talk about the top 3 projects as chosen by the Stamp & Show design team.  This week the honors go to:

10  Astrid
51  Susan Janicula
57 Laurie Y 

Be sure to visit their blogs and check out their amazing entries. So inspiring! Congratulations to each of you on a challenge well done! Please email May for the Top 3 Blinkie.

 

I'd like to thank everyone who took part in the challenge. It is always a joy to see what you create. I'd also like to say thank you again to Simon Says Stamp for their generosity - each week we give away a $50 gift voucher to the shop that you can use to buy all kinds of fabulous stamps, inks, and paper crafting supplies. Remember - you just need to enter the challenge each week to be entered into the drawings!

Challenge: Inspired By

Whether it is a song lyric or a quote from your favorite author, an idea from your favorite blogger or you want to create something inspired by your favorite artist - this week we want to see how you are inspired by someone else’s creativity.

Perhaps you’ve always wanted to try a Wendy Vecchi style piece, or you wish to try your hand at layering like Finnabair. Maybe your favorite book can serve as inspiration for a canvas piece or a line from a song inspires you to create a new art journal entry. If you have a pinterest account full of inspiration you’ve not used this would be a great time to pick something and give it a go.
 

Take the inspiration in front of you, and make it into something uniquely you - we can’t wait to see what you’ll try, and how you’ll inspire us.

Suzz thought Candy's Hot Air Balloon was fantastic which inspired her to create a magical metallic egg.

This project was percolating in my head since I saw how Candy had created her Hot Air Balloon. I had leftover plastic Easter Eggs sitting on my desk and decided to create a magical egg. The egg and Memory Box Butterfly Die are cut and covered from Ranger Metal Foil Sheets dry embossed with Tim Holtz Sizzix Patchwork Embossing Folder. I coated everything with combination of Stampendous Aged Aqua Embossing Powder and StaZon Jet Black Ink ink. My whimsical egg is all ready for a special treat inside for next year.

Ooh La La! Paris is the place to be...as per Anita.

If you are the creative type odds are that the city of Paris is a fountain of inspiration for you. Even looking at pictures of the city sights and architecture are inspiring enough, if you never get a chance to visit the City of Lights. I wish I could have seen it in the early 1900's!

I found some dollar store wooden frames, and after some crackle paint, a layer of Glossy Glue N Seal, and stamping and heat embossing with the fabulous images from Tim's Papillon, Paris to London, and Paris Memoir Stamp Sets from Stamper's Anonymous, along with Artistic Outpost's Paris Exposition, this frame was transformed. Joie de vivre!

Ashli pulled her inspiration this week from the work of one of her favorite sculptors.

Many years ago, I had the good opportunity to see an exhibition of Petah Coyne's wax sculptures. From the moment I walked into that gallery, I was beyond captivated by her use of wax! And, the thoughtful way in which she embeds birds within her pieces is mesmerizing. So, I thought I might try my hand at a little version of wax and winged things for my layout today! With a lovely piece of Webster's Pages Modern Romance paper as my base, I set about adding some colorful scraps followed by drips and drops of Beeswax. White the wax was still heated, I simply stuck my punched butterflies around. I played with layering and adding more wax until I had a soft and free look. Drips of wax and butterflies? Inspired!

Sandra Mouwen's inspiration for these art journal pages are two really talented ladies, Donna Downey and Dina Wakley.

Donna and Dina are such an inspiration to me. I love visiting their blogs and come up with new ideas. They both have their own style, but the messy art journal techniques is what we all have in common. I made the background with lots of paint and stencils of both ladies, like Donna's Turkish, Perforated Dots and Chevron and Dina's Paint Lids. I so like Dina's stamps, Loney Girl and Create with Abondon are two of my faves.

 

Anna-Karin got inspiration from an unusual place, by cleaning up her very messy desk:

When I was tidying up my desk, I found a little pile of vintage bookmarks (Victorian scraps) that I had as a child. They inspired me to create a suitcase to store them in, as well as a mini-book with photos and journaling about how we used to collect and trade bookmarks. I used Graphic 45 French Country and Secret Garden papers for both the outside and the inside of the suitcase. It was embellished with layered flowers die cut with the Tattered Flower Garland and 3-D Fringed Flower dies, a sticky-back canvas picket fence and wood veneer shapes.

Sarah was inspired by her husband's ever growing pile of used jeans and the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals Challenge, and decided to create a fun and funky tote bag.

I don't know why my hubby likes to hold onto his dilapidated jeans, but this week I was glad the denim spoke to me. They were just crying out for a makeover. Sewing machine, here I come! I didn't have time to join in Tim's challenge but couldn't resist a flowery mood as I do love the Tattered Florals Die. It's so versatile. I used lots of scraps from my rag bag and also the great American Craft Fabric Swatches. So, after lots of snipping and stitching I was a bag richer! All finished off with a Word Band to remind me that creativity is often right under your nose.

This week Dan was inspired by a song from one of his favourite artistes.

I have been a huge fan of British singer/songwriter Kate Bush since I was a teenager and this piece is inspired by one of her most emotional songs, Moments of Pleasure. It's a song I have a strong personal connection to, and one which triggers many fond and bittersweet memories. I played the track on repeat while I worked and the piece just kind of made itself! Stamps used include the Americana Blueprint and Vintage Things Blueprint sets along with a panel from the Destinations paper stash and some Tim Holtz Tissue Tape.

Tracy Evans was inspired by two artists this week, Finnabair and Leanne at LuvLee Scrappin.

It's my Father-in-Law's 80th birthday this year and I took this opportunity to create a mixed media canvas adding many layers in the style of two of my favourite artists of the moment. This is one of those pieces that I simply got lost in, adding layer after layer of Claudine Hellmuth Gesso, Idea-ology mini gears, game pieces, adornments metal charms, light bulbs and lots more ephemera. This is one of those pieces that is so absorbing and it's knowing when to stop. Hope my Father-in-Law likes his quirky birthday canvas!

I (May) am inspired by Simon product designer and all-around fantastic woman Kelly Purkey.

Inspired doesn't begin to cover it when I'm talking about the cool products that Kelly Purkey is now designing exclusively for Simon Says Stamp! With Kelly's new sequins, April-May project kit, and travel stamps I was off and running with some instagram photos from our recent trip to paradise. Kelly is known for her love of great food and playful layouts and I like to think that she'd approve of this one. Good times, happy crafting, and a layout I'm happy to add to my scrapbook this week for the win!

 

Candy's inspiration for her easel calendar are the gorgeous Place In Time papers from Graphic 45's 8x8 paper pad.

I have loved the Graphic 45 Place In Time 8x8 paper pad from the minute I saw it.  But, I was never quite sure how to create a calendar that could be used for years and would do justice to those beautiful papers. An easel calender is the perfect solution to have a beautiful and useful piece of home decor.  Creating the basic easel calender out of chipboard and putting it together with my Cinch Book Binding Tool was a snap!  Scor Tape is the perfect adhesive to apply the papers and embellishments. Graphic 45 was so smart not to print dates on the calendar pages. They can easily be replaced year after year by printing extras and adding Dotto Dots Removable Adhesive to the back side of the calendar.  Various Stickles were used to really bring life and sparkle to those already gorgeous images.

Trace was inspired by a fun technique she found on the Faber-Castell blog.

I couldn't wait to play with my Faber-Castell Gelatos, but before I could, I needed to prep my board with Studio Gesso for the fun technique to work. My daughter had requested a turquoise board for her bedroom wall, so I pulled out all those Gelatos colours that I thought would work: sky blue, cotton candy, metallic violet, blueberry, and boysenberry. Then the fun began! I started at the top of the board and applied scribbles and then spritzed with water and let it drip down the board...I just kept doing this until the whole board was covered.I had to add a few more layers of paint with the help of my favorite Crafter's Workshop stencils: mini tri mosaic, mini chevron, and mini chicken wire. I really don't know how I could complete a project without these. Definitely fun and something I will do again!

 

For more inspiration click on our design team's blog links so you can see more photos (and full supply lists) for their projects.

 

As always, Simon Says Stamp is giving away a $50 gift voucher that will go to a random entry chosen by Random Generator. To qualify all you need to do is create a new project that ties in (in any way!) with our theme and post it, along with a link back to this challenge, and add a link here. This challenge will end at 11:59pm on Sunday May 12th EST.

For the full rules, read the "challenge rules" posted in the side-bar here on our blog.