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!