A Place to Start - November 2020 - Mirror Stamping

Wow!  It's November already and time for a new challenge here at A Place to Start.  We have the option of Mirror Stamping, which is a unique technique in my opinion.  I've tried it a few times in the past, but I don't think I ever actually made a card using the technique.  I challenged myself to actually make it work this time.  Here's my card:

I loosely water colored the background using Mowed Lawn Distress Ink.  Then I stamped the images and colored them with my Spectrum Noir Markers.  This is a cute little Christmas card, my second of the year, although it doesn't actually look very much like Christmas. But I like that - it's rather nontraditional.

Won't you give mirror stamping a try and join our challenge using the stamp of your choice?  It's fun to try something different.

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create November 2020 - Cute Critters

Hi there, Friends!  The weather is getting chilly here where I am. Leaves have changed colors and are falling from the trees - soon they will be bare. I do enjoy the Fall season, but I am always fully aware that Winter is just around the corner. And I am not a fan of that particular season.  Oh, well.

Our challenge at 613 Avenue Create this month has the option of Cute Critters. I don't have a lot of critter stamps, but I managed to find some to use.  I particularly love this little deer because it looks just like a toy deer that I had as a little girl.  I loved that deer and I love this stamp.

I used Distress Oxides for the background behind the die cut tree frame.  I colored the sweet deer and fox with my Spectrum Noir markers, adding highlights with a white gel pen. Then I added a hello sentiment.

We hope you join our challenge. We'd love to see your cute critters.  And don't forget to check to see who won the last challenge - maybe it was you!

Thanks for visiting!

A Place to Start - October 2020 - Harvest Time: Use Red, Yellow and Green

It's time for our October Challenge at A Place to Start. Our theme is Harvest Time - Use Red, Yellow and Green.  I had fun with this challenge, using another very old stamp set and some Distress Oxides:

I absolutely love blending Distress Oxide Inks. They are so creamy and blend like a dream. My CAS style loves these inks.

We hope to see you on the blog with your creation.  And don't forget to check to see who won last week.  I hope you're enjoying autumn wherever you are.  And please stay safe.

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create-October 2020-Option Winged Things

Happy Fall, everyone!  We're into a new season as we introduce our latest challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  This month our Anything Goes Challenge has the delightful option of Winged Things.  I opted to create an airplane card.

 

 

This was fun.  I used a really old stamp from Close to My Heart for the airplane, banner and sentiment.  The sun is from my stash as is the cloud background paper.  I used Glossy Accents on the cockpit window and wing for a bit of shine and dimension.

We'd love to see what you make. Hop on over and join the challenge.

Thanks for visiting!

A Place To Start-September-Option Create a Children's Card

Hello, friends!  I have a darling little girl birthday card for this month's challenge at A Place to Start.  I used punches to create a Minnie Mouse silhouette.  It's such a cute and fun card.  Here it is:

  

We hope you choose to make a kid card.  Be sure to check out the blog for DT inspiration and to see who won our last challenge.  Happy Crafting:

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create September 2020 - Anything Goes-Option Use a Charm

Hello, hello, hello!!  It's September and time for a new challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  This month you have the option of using a charm in our Anything Goes Challenge. Here's my CAS inspiration for you:

I used Distress Oxides to make my simple background and a fancy tea pot die belonging to a friend. The little charm is one I've had for years and years. I attached some thread to it before adhering it to the card base.

Please do join in the fun and play along with us this month.  Our DT has some delightful inspiration.  And you'll want to see who won last month's challenge also. Take care & happy crafting!

Thanks for visiting!

A Place to Start August 2020 - Shaker Card

Hi there, Crafty Peeps!  This month our challenge at A Place to Start is to Create a Shaker Card.  A while back I learned how to create a shaker card by using a clear envelope.  It's so easy - no building up adhesive or using acetate.  Just create your card panel, insert it into a clear envelope, add your shaker bits, seal the envelope, and adhere it to a card base.  Here's what I made:

The main image is colored with my Spectrum Noir markers  I cut it out using a Spellbinders die.  I lightly chalked around the image and adhered it to a colored panel.  I stamped the sentiment and, as I stated above, put it in a clear envelope, and added sequins left over from a card kit. I think it turned out well.

We want to see your shakers, no matter how you make them. Give it a try and enter the challenge.  Happy Crafting!!

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create August 2020 - Option: Use Washi Tape

Hello, Friends!  This month our crafty challenge at 613 Avenue Create has the option to Use Washi Tape. In actuality, I don't have much Washi tape.  And some of what I have has gone bad - the adhesive has deteriorated so that the tape cannot be used. Bummer!  So I used long strips of what is still good and adhered to my card front.  After die cutting a sentiment, my card is done!  Quick and easy, clean and simple.  Here it is:

We hope to see your projects using Washi,  Hopefully, yours is still in good working condition!

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create-July 2020-Sentiment as Focal

Welcome to our new challenge at 613 Avenue Create. Our optional twist is to make the sentiment your focal point.

I actually used two separate sentiments on this card.  I thought they went well together:

I used my Tombow markers to make the stripes on the lower card panel, then used a stencil and inks for the top panel.  I stamped and die cut the sentiments and glued them to the top panel.  Finally, I added a few sequins for a pop.

We'd love to see your creations.  Please do join us.

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create June 2020 - Create a Blended Background

Hi, there!  We're back at 613 Avenue Create with a new challenge for June - Create a Blended Background.  As usual, I made a clean and simple card:

I am loving Distress Oxide Inks.  I first blended the inks onto my card panel and then embossed my background stamp with white embossing powder.  Then I again blended Distress Inks over the panel. I wiped off the inks after the second time.  I also embossed my sentiment and fussy cut around it.

What do you think about how it turned out?  I rather like it.

What kind of inks do you like to use for blended backgrounds?  I have to say that I've only used either Distress or Distress Oxides.  We'd love to see what you use. And don't forget to check to see our winners from last time.

Thanks for visiting!

Here is A Place to Start - June 2020 - Create a Shaped Card

Hello, Friends.  I hope you are all safe and healthy.  Are you still staying in?  I am, as much as possible.  During these times, crafting is my only outlet.  I am thankful to be able to get to a happy place with my craft supplies.

Our new challenge at Here is A Place to Start has the optional twist of creating a shaped card.  I used a scalloped circle die to do just that.  This is a really simple, easy to make card. It's decorated with patterned paper from my stash, a simple sentiment and some tiny sequins.

Thanks for visiting!

Here is A Place to Start-May 2020-Create A Custom Background (No Paper)

It's May, my friends. So Here at A Place to Start we have a new challenge.  As a twist, we'd like you to create your own background; don't use paper.  When I first started making cards, I always used pattern paper as a background.  As I've grown as a card maker, I enjoy making my own backgrounds more than I ever thought I would.  For this month's challenge I used Distress Oxide Ink and a stencil to make my card:

That sweet little unicorn is a stamp borrowed from a friend months ago when we could gather together and craft. I used a stencil and Distress Oxide to create the sky.  I colored the image with my Spectrum Noir marker, fussy cut it, and stamped the sentiment. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

Are you crafting to keep busy and relax during these trying time?  I know I am.  Please do stop by the blog, play along with our challenge, and see who won the last one.

Stay safe, my friends!

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create - May 2020 - Diamonds & Lace

Hello, hello, hello!  Welcome to the May Challenge at 613 Avenue Create.  This month our optional twist is Diamonds & Lace.  I actually had a bit of trouble coming up with a card using this theme, but them I remembered a diamond shape set of dies that I have and it finally came together:

I don't usually make square cards, but the diamond shape dies sort of required it.  I layered two out of contrasting card stock.  I even went old school and broke out an old Fiskars punch to make the white lace trim.  The designer paper is from my stash.  I added a simple sentiment and some sequins.

We hope to see your project over at the challenge blog. You'll also want to see who won our challenge for last month.

We hope you are all staying safe.


Thanks for visiting!

Here is a Place to Start-March 2020-Use a Household Item

It was a lot of fun playing along with our twist at Here is a Place to Start this month.  The option is to Use a Household Item.  I used heavy duty aluminum foil, doubled it up, and ran it through an embossing folder to create the background for this masculine card. I then used black shoe polish to add some color and a bit of depth.  I totally love how it turned out.  I learned this technique from some of my crafty friends.

I stamped a car image and fussy cut it.  The road is a scrap of black paper given texture with a brick embossing folder.

I will add a sentiment later when I decide who will receive the card and the occasion.  I'm building up my stash.

We want to see what you come up with. You'll have fun playing along with this twist, I'm sure.  Of course, you'll have fun even if you don't use the twist.  See you there!

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create March 2020 - Twist Color with Pencils

Our optional twist at 613 Avenue Create this month is to Color with Pencils.  I opted NOT to use the twist because I don't have any luck with pencils. I actually did try using colored pencils to just shade some flowers that I had colored with alcohol markers.  I have seen some bloggers do this successfully, but I failed miserably.  Oh, well.

I did have fun with the background panel on which the flower panel is mounted.  I created the background using shaving cream and food coloring. That's a really old technique. Some crafty friends and I spent an afternoon several months ago making these fun backgrounds.  I have a small stack to use for cards in the future.

The main image was colored with Spectrum Noir markers some time ago for the 30 Day Coloring Challenge.  I just cut it out with a stitched rectangle die and tied a ribbon around it.  The flowers make me happy.  I opted not to include a sentiment at this time.  I'll add one when I give the card to someone.  I do that sometimes. Do you ever create a card and add the sentiment later?

Please do pop over to the blog and join our challenge. We'd love to see your artwork there.

Thanks for visiting!

A Place to Start-February 2020-Option Create a Masculine Card

I make a lot of masculine cards for family and friends so I was delighted with this theme for A Place to Start.  Masculine cards definitely can be difficult.  I was enjoying a craft day with some ladies when a fellow card maker let me use this great masculine die.  I created a birthday card for a neighbor and dear friend.

I used blending brushes to create the background.  Then I sprinkled the background with water.  I adhered the black die cut using liquid glue and stamped the sentiment.  I love this image.

We'd like to see your projects at our challenge blog. Please join in and create something special.  And good luck in the challenge.


Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create February 2020-Option Banners & Bows

Hi, there!  Well, we're into the second month of 2020 - time flies, doesn't it?  Our brand new challenge at 613 Avenue Create has the option of Banners and Bows.  Sounds fun, doesn't it.?  I decided to make my banners from Washi tape.  I don't have a lot, but what I have, I've had in my stash for literally years.  I discovered that several rolls are virtually useless because the tape sticks to itself and can't be unrolled without ripping.  I presume the glue has degraded.  What a disappointment.  Anyhoo, I decided to use some of what still works.

I used three different rolls of Washi to make the banners.  I added a handmade flower (which was actually made by a friend of mine), and used a punch to make the small bow which I attached to the center of the flower.  I didn't add a sentiment so I can later choose one.  (I call this a Whatever card for now.)

What do you think?  I think it was quick and easy, and I like it.

Join us and share your project.  And you'll want to see our January winners.  Happy Crafting?

A Place to Start January 2020-Anything Goes w/ Option CAS

Happy 2020!  I hope you have a wonderful year.  Join us at A Place to Start for our first challenge of the New Year.  Our option is to create a CAS project (Clean and Simple).  This was not at all difficult for me since that's really the only type of card I ever make - LOL!

Here's my card:

The DT is using images from Bugaboo Stamps.  I chose the image called I Heart U Bear.  Isn't the little bear adorable?  It's colored with my Spectrum Noir markers.  I cut it out using a Sizzix die.  The DP is from my stash and so is the sentiment.  I'm trying to use my stash in 2020.

Click over to the blog and see what the DT has designed using more sweet images from Bugaboo.  We want to see your designs.  And don't forget that you can see last month's winners.  Have a wondereful day, friends!

Thanks for visiting!

613 Avenue Create January 2020-Anything Goes-Option Make it Shiny

Welcome 2020!  Isn't just amazing that we have entered into a new decade?  I wish you all the best in this New Year.

At 613 Avenue Create we have our first challenge of the year - Anything Goes with the option to Make it Shiny.

I created a congratulations card for our grandson who just received his first college acceptance letter. Needless to say, we are over the moon with happiness and pride. I won't make a card for each acceptance, but just had to do so for the first - LOL!  Since he is a young man, making it shiny doesn't come easy, but I think this is appropriately masculine.

The starts and congrats sentiment are die cut from silver mirror paper.  I added clear embossing powder to the black banner and heat set it. The inside has some silver mirror paper hearts.

We've included a little something for him to spend on a celebratory treat. Or he could save it for college!

Thanks for visiting!