A Place to Start-December 2019 - Happy Holiday

Welcome to the December challenge at A Place to Start.  It's Anything Goes as always, with the option of Happy Holiday.  We'd like to see a card for Chanukah, Kwanza or Christmas.  Here's my simple Christmas card:

The plaid background was made using a stamp.  The candy canes are a stamp also. Everything is colored with my Spectrum Noir markers.  I really love how this card turned out. 

We'd love it if you would participate in our challenge.  Our DT has some wonderful inspiration. Click over and pay us a visit.

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create December 2019-Doodling or Zentangle Art

Hi there, my crafty peeps!  This month at 613 Avenue Create our Anything Goes Option is something I have never done before - Doodling or Zentangle Art.  I opted for the tiniest bit of doodling - I added dots around my image. You may not believe it, but it really stressed me to doodle like that on my card. My spacing is not quite even, but it is a handmade card, so it's not going to be perfect.  I kind of like it, but don't think I'll be doing any doodling in the future.  It's just not me - LOL!

I colored the digital image some time ago for the 30 Day Coloring Challenge.  I'm not sure where I got it, but I have had it a really long time.  All the shading was added by the artist so it was quick and easy to color.  I decided not to add a sentiment at this time.

Have you doodled or used Zentangle art before on your projects?  We hope you give our option a try. Check out the DT projects and see our winners from the last challenge. 

Thanks for visiting!

A Place to Start-November 2019-Option Caffeinated Tones

Our newest challenge at A Place to Start is a color challenge.  We want you to use Caffeinated Tones.  Personally, I don't drink coffee and neither do my husband or my sons.  But I have a niece who truly loves coffee and "needs" it to get her day started, so this card will go to her.

Below is the color chart for this challenge:

Color Challenge

"Caffeinated Tones"

You may add neutrals or other spot colors!

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This challenge gave me a chance to use some small images that I have.  I stamped the to go cups, added some shading and colored the hearts.  Finally I fussy cut the images and added the sentiment. The patterned paper background perfectly fits.  This is a really simple card that came together quite quickly.

We want to see your projects so get busy, create and link up to our challenge!

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create November 2019-Anything Goes-Option Scrap Your Stash

Hello there!  I hope things are going well with you.  This month's optional twist at 613 Avenue Create is to Scrap Your Stash - in other words use some leftover stuff to create a project.

Here's my card:

I used a panel on which I had practiced blending Distress Oxide Inks using my makeup brushes from Amazon.  I really love blending with them.  I have more panels set aside. The birds were left over from my practicing using two colors to stamp them.  And I have a ton of little heart dies of various colors.  I decided to use a red one.

I cut out the middle of the framed die and added the leaves after coloring them with my Spectrum Noir markers.  I added a sentiment, and it was perfect for my husband.

I hope you decide to enter our challenge.  We all have crafty items hanging around that we need to use.  Look through what you have and join us.  It will be fun!



Thanks for visiting!

A Place to Start - October 2019 - Create Your Own Challenge

Welcome to our October Challenge at A Place to Start. We have the fun option to Create Your Own Challenge using this chart:

You must use at least 1 item from each column.
A good self-challenge would be to use as many items as possible from each column.

Please list the items used.

I had fun making this card. It's for my sister's birthday next month. I'm fine posting it because she doesn't look at my blog.

Column 1:  Image, Sentiment, Patterned Paper, Solid Paper;
Column 2:  Die, Dry Embossing;
Column 3:  Embossing Powder
Column 4:  Bling
Column 5:  Stitching (Faux)

613 Avenue Create #226 - Anything Goes Option Spotlight Technique

Hi, ya'll!  At 613 Avenue Create we have a fun option for our Anything Goes Challenge this month.  We'd like to see you use the Spotlight Technique in your entry.  I haven't done this in a long time so I really enjoyed giving it a go.  When I've done it before, I popped up the spotlight area.  This time I did not.  I simply colored the spotlight area so the card front is completely flat. Take a look:

After coloring in the images, I colored a circle around them.  Then I added a few sequins and a sentiment.  This card will go to our granddaughter at some point in time.

We'hope you decide to give this technique a try. Pop over to the blog to see the other DT designs. And you'll want to see who won last month's challenge!  Have a good day.

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create #225-Anything Goes-Option Exploding or Pop Up Box

Here we are with another fun challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  Our Anything Goes theme has the option of either an Exploding Box or a Pop Up Box.  I love Pop Up Boxes.  Mine has a new baby theme.

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This was really fun to make.  I used a box die by Divinity Designs (formerly Our Daily Bread Designs). Some of the cute images are die cuts and some are stickers I purchased years ago.  All in all, it turned out cute, I think.  I attached a Target gift card to the back, but didn't get a picture of that.

We hope to see your projects at the blog.  And don't forget to see if you won last month.  Happy Crafting!!

Thanks for visiting!

A Place to Start - September 2019 - Anything Goes/Option Masking

Hi, Friends.  I'm back after taking a break last month.  Right now our Anything Goes Challenge at A Place to Start has the fun option of masking.  I chose to mask a stencil, something I had not done before.

I enjoyed blending Distress Oxide Inks over a stencil from my stash.  I used painter's tape to mask the middle where I placed my sentiment.  I cut the panel down using a stitched rectangle die and adhered it to my card base.  Finally, I added some sequins.

We want to see your projects on the blog.  You just might be named a winner!

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create #223 - Anything Goes-Option Use Your Country's Flag Colors

Hello There!  Well, we're officially in the second half of the year - wow, how time flies.  Our new Anything Goes Challenge at 613 Avenue Create is to use the colors of your country's flag.  Here's my card using red, white and blue:

I used paper from my stash to cover the card base.  Then I used Memento Inks blended over a brick stencil to create a background panel.  I inked the stamp and sentiment and fussy cut them before adhering them to the brick panel.  The stamp set is an old one, which I really love - In the Cards by Casual Fridays Stamps.

This card has a masculine feel so I'll probably end up sending it to a man.  I think it's a fun card, one that can be used for a variety of occasions.

We'd love to see your creations so please join our challenge. Happy crafting!


Thanks for visiting!

A Place to Start - July - Anything Goes

Well, I hope the first half of the year has gone well for you.  As we enter July, we have a new challenge at A Place to Start.  This time our theme is Anything Goes. ( And, by the way, there will be no mid-month post,)

I created a baby card.  I won the adorable Whittle Elephant die from Poppy Stamps a few months ago.  I love the stitched details on the tiny die.  It was easy to color.  I added some DP from my stash, some colored card stock cut with stitched rectangle dies, and a sentiment actually borrowed from a friend. I grounded the elephant with a bit of shading below his feet.  Finally, I added a few sequins.

This CAS card was easy to make.  Die cuts can really make for a cute card.

Thanks for visiting!

A Place To Start - Stencil Me In - Mid-month

I'm back with a little more inspiration to entice you to join us in our challenge to use stencils at A Place to Start.  This time, the entire background of my card was stenciled in on a pink card panel. After using hot pink ink, I offset the stencil slightly and stenciled with white ink.  I stamped my hummingbird using the rock and roll technique to add depth to the bird and fussy cut it out.  I adhered the bird to a die cut vellum oval and then attached it to the panel.  I trimmed a bit off the sides of the panel, adhered it to a white card base.  Finally I added a sentiment.

So if you haven't already entered our challenge, be sure to do so before the month is out.  The DT has more inspiration for you.  You'll enjoy the challenge, I'm sure.



Thanks for visiting!

A Place to Start - June: Stencil Me In

Hello!  There's a new challenge at A Place to Start.  This time we're using stencils.  For my card, I used a stencil that was a gift from a friend.  It's large with several different designs on it.  I stenciled all the butterflies. The flower is a Altenew stamp.  I don't know who made the stencil, but I like the butterflies in flight:

I used my favorite new tool - makeup brushes - to ink up the stencil design with Distress Oxide Inks onto a white card panel.  I then stamped the flowers, leaves and sentiment.  I cut the sentiment on a strip and glued it down. I cut the panel down slightly and glued it to a white card base. Finally, I added some sequins from my stash.  Clean and Simple - and done!

We would love to see your creations at A Place to Start.  Grab those stencils and get to creating!

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create #222 - Anything Goes - Option More Than One Fold

Hi, there!  This month's challenge at 613 Avenue Create was a hard one for me - using more than one fold.  I seldom make multi-fold cards.  I'm pretty much a clean and simple card maker, so I just fold a card base in half and make my card.  I did some research for this project and decided to make a Double Z fold card.  I really do like how this turned out and will probably make more in the future.

Here is my card folded flat:

Here is the open card:

And here is the side view:

I created a pattern on the card base by using a background stamp inked up with Versamark.  That created a subtle watermark pattern.

I used makeup brushes to lay down Distress Oxide Worn Lipstick all over the larger fold on the top panel, going from dark to light.  Then I spritzed the top panel with water. I lightly distressed the edges of the middle and lower panels.  I cut a frame from some DP for the stamped image and glued down the image after coloring it with my Spectrum Noir markers.

I then inked the edges of the lower two  folds of the card.

I used the same DP for the middle panel, stamping and cutting my sentiment on a strip.  This is a sentiment of encouragement. Then I added some flowers which I colored with my markers and added a small sequin to the center of each.

The bottom space is reserved for a handwritten note.

I followed instructions as detailed by the wonderfully creative Jennifer McGuire on her post here. Don't you just love Jennifer's creations?  She is super talented and so kind.

I really enjoyed the challenge of making this card.  We hope you step out of your comfort zone if multi-fold cards are not what you usually make.  And if you do make them already, please show off your projects.  Thanks for visiting!

A Place To Start May 2019 - Tempting Techniques: Showcase Your Favorite Technique

Hello there!  This month at A Place To Start we want to see you Showcase Your Favorite Technique.  Right now, I'm loving Distress Ink blending - particularly Distress Oxide Ink.  I created a birthday card for my husband using this technique:

I blended a trio of Distress Oxide Inks for the sky:  Spiced Marmalade, Picked Raspberry and Wilted Violet.  I blended them using make up brushes that I bought from Amazon.  The ocean is blended with Faded Jeans and a bit of Cracked Pistachio.  The waves and sailboats are from a Stampin' Up set,Lilypad Lake, while the sentiment is a gift from my friend Darnell, but I misplaced the label for it. I colored the sail boats with Spectrum Noir markers.

I must admit that I have much better luck ink blending with the make up brushes than I have had with the little round blending tool.  If you have trouble ink blending, I recommend giving the make up brushes a try.

I love how this card turned out.  I find it soothing just to look at.

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create #221-Anything Goes-Option Shaker Card

Hello, Friends!  We have a delightful challenge this month at 613 Avenue Create.  Our Anything Goes option is to create a shaker card.  Shakers are always fun, and I really should create them more often.  The recipient always seemed to be surprised by the shaker elements.  Here's mine:

Can you see the shaker elements spread across the front of the card as it is placed flat on a table?  I used seed beads and some other little sparkly bits.  This one was really easy to create as I cut down a pre-printed card, stamped a sentiment on it, encased it in a small clear envelope, added the shaker elements, and finally sealed the envelope.  I cut a frame using dies, and glued the frame down to a card base.  I then glued the shaker envelope into the frame opening, adding the flowers as design elements and done!

I hope you like it.  It was super quick and easy.

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create #220-Anything Goes-Option Wedding/Anniversary

Good day, Crafty Friends!  This month at 613 Avenue Create our Anything Goes Challenge has the fun option of a wedding or anniversary card/project.  I made a card for our friends who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.  It was a lot of fun to make.

This is the front view of my card.  I had a difficult time with shadows while taking photos of the gold birds, leaves and hearts.  They are punched out of gold mirror card stock which I could just not get to photograph well.  Please excuse my lack of skill in this regard.

The roses and flowers are a die cut which I glued to the front after using a die to cut out a heart on the card front.

Here you see the birds on branches.  I die cut the sentiment using number and alpha dies, adhering them to a scalloped punch, edged with gold ink.

Below you can see that this is a tri-fold card.  There's a stamped sentiment and die cut which you can't see.  But we signed the card and included a personal message before I photographed it - my mistake.  I didn't want to show our message so I chose to show this view of the tri-fold.  Oh, well. 

I really like how the card turned out. I may make another tri-fold card in the future. It's nice to be able to include more dies and sentiments.

Thanks for visiting!

Card Stock:  Recollections 110 lb
Gold Mirror Paper:  My stash
Flower, Letter & Number Dies:  Tattered Lace
Bird Punch:  Stampin' Up
Heart Punch:  Martha Stewart

A Place to Start - Official Launch

Hi, there!  I'm proud to tell you that I am now part of A Place to Start, a blog where new crafters can find helpful information and where all crafters can display their creativity.

Welcome to the official launch  of A Place to Start.  We thank you for the support you have already shown us in our previous challenges.

It is our goal to make our Place more than just a challenge blog.  Over the coming months, we will have tutorials, product comparisons, and a Q&A section.  We will also revive our ATG Neverending Challenge.

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CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE DESIGN TEAM

We are a Just For Fun Blog but for our launch this month,our good friend, artist Rick St. Dennis, has graciously offered to sponsor the challenge.  The Top Sprout Honoree will receive Rick' March 2019 - Easter/Spring Packet.

Marketplace Zibbet Rick1949

APTS Launch Challenge: Create A Single Layer Card w/Matching Envelope - or Anything Goes

I taped off the edges of my card and sponged Distress Oxide Ink on the space between the tape.  Then I stamped the flower image with black pigment ink, coated it with clear embossing powder, and heat embossed it.  Finally, I spritzed wanted onto the inked panel before stamping the sentiment.  

For the envelope, I taped off a small border and sponged on Distress Oxide Ink.  I used second generation stamping for the image, party on and partly off the inked strip. Done!

Please do visit the blog, enter the challenge, and apply for a DT position.  We'd love to have you join us.  Good things are coming!

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create #219-Anything Goes-Option Kinetic Card

Hello, Crafty Peeps!  Welcome to another challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  This time our Anything Goes Challenge has the option to create a kinetic card.  I chose to make a pop up box card.  It was a lot of fun.  This is a birthday card for my grandniece who turned 18.  I wanted a special card for a special young lady who is now a college freshman. I have given her the card, and I'm pleased to say that she loved it.

I used a box die from Divinity Designs (formerly Our Daily Bread Designs).   I decorated the box with papers from my stash.  The Make a Wish sentiment is one I made at a Stampin Up Make n Take at Scrapbook Expo last year.  The other decorations on the flaps are die cuts from my stash of dies. The images are from various stamp sets in my stash. I used my Spectrum Noir markers to color the shoe, birthday cake and the green tea frappuccino (my niece's favorite drink).

Card stock:  Recollections 110 lb & 65 lb
Dies:  Assorted from my stash
Stamps:  Assorted from my stash

Challenges:
Dragonfly Dreams - March - For a Special Female
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafts Galore Encore Challenge Blog -March - Anything Goes


Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create #218 - Anything Goes - Option Use a Critter

Our Anything Goes option at 613 Avenue Create this month is to use a critter.  Year before last (I think), I received the adorable Favorite Puperoni stamp as a freebie from Simon Says Stamps.  This is my first time using the sweet little puppy, although I did use one stamp in the set before.  Since I am determined to use my unused stamps, I decided to dig out this one and make a card.

You cannot tell in the photograph, but the card base is very lightly colored with Peeled Paint Distress Oxide Ink.  I also added sparkle to the pup's eyes and nose with a glitter pen after coloring him with my Spectrum Noir markers. But I colored the image a while back and have no idea which markers I used. He's cut out with my Scan and Cut 2 - I love that machine so much - and then popped up. I added a shadow so he wouldn't seem to be floating.  I hand cut the banners from some DP in my stash and added the bubble sentiment.  He'll go to my grandson or grandniece.

Card stock:  Recollections 110 lb
Spectrum Noir Markers
Designer Paper:  My stash
Sentiment:  Hero Arts CL737

Challenges:
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Little Patch of Crafty Friends #99 - Anything Goes
Crafty Animals #23 - Anything Goes



Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create #217-Anything Goes-Option Water Coloring

Happy 2019, everyone!  We're off to a New Year and a new challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  Our Anything Goes Challenge has the option of water coloring.  I made a very clean and simple card for this challenge and here it is:

I used Crayola water colors to paint stripes of a piece of water color paper.  Once it was dry, I die cut the Hero Arts Paper Layering Daisy and the love sentiment (I've had this dies so long that I don't remember who made it).  I glued them to a card base and bam!  My card was finished.

I have had that daisy die for several years, but this is the very first time I used it.  But it's definitely a new die in the sense that it has never been used. I actually saw the die on Virginia Lu's blog and fell in love with it. Why it took me so very long to use it, I cannot say.  But I will say that in 2019, I am determined to use my NBUS (thanks, Darnell!), and I have tons of it.

So hop over to 613 Avenue Create to see who won the last challenge of 2018 and to enter our first challenge in 2019.

Card stock:  Canson water color paper
Water colors:  Crayola
Die:  Hero Arts Paper Layering Daisy; unknown love die

Challenges:
Die Cut Divas Challenge Blog - Something New
Crafting with an Attitude #47 - Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart #234- Anything Goes

         

Thanks for visiting!