Challenges

I started participating in color challenges earlier this year with a fellow Close To My Heart Consultant, Marjorie, over at Mommy Scraps. It was the first time I'd ever done paper crafting challenges and I was hooked! The color challenges really took me out of my box and helped me try things that I don't think I ever would've thought of on my own. Not only did I use color combinations that I wouldn't have used on my own, it also helped bring out stamp sets that had been sitting uninked in the drawer for far too long. There are days when I want to create yet I will sit at my desk wondering where to start. Most of us paper crafting hobbyists have so many papers, stamps, embellishments, etc. that I think it is just a bit overwhelming at times. When I do have time to create, it's usually not much time at one sitting, but I certainly don't want to spend that precious time staring at my various products wondering where to begin! Whether it's a color challenge or a sketch challenge or product challenge, it's a good starting point. And when I've finished my project, I not only have accomplished something, whether it's making a card for someone or scrapping some more pictures from my mountain of photos, I've also learned something new. And that feels good! It has often helped with my next project too. And it gets you going - sometimes all we need is a gentle kick and the ideas start flowing.

When my friend Debbie over at Creatively Speaking also bought the Pagemaps book earlier this month, she thought it'd be fun to have a weekly challenge, randomly picking a page and giving ourselves a week to complete it. So far we've done three and it's been great!

So if you find yourself staring at your stamps or papers, log on to one of the many challenge sites or sketch sites and get going! You'll have fun, I promise!

Marjorie has done 31 color challenges. I think I've participated in about 15 of them, with every intention of catching up on the ones I've missed. The nice thing about challenges is there really is no time frame (unless there is a contest associated with it and you want to try to win!). So I don't feel the pressure to keep on top of every challenge that interests me. I joined in Marjorie's 31st challenge this week with one of Close To My Heart's new colors. I hadn't opened the stamp pad yet and this gave me the perfect excuse.


I don't think the Star Struck stamp set will ever get old with me. I also used the July Word Puzzle, Happy Birthday, and Journaling Jots stamp sets. I used a star punch to punch out the small "honey" and the one "cocoa" stars and popped them for added dimension. Everything else looks self explanatory I think. I LOVE the SU! notebook paper punch. It's so very handy that you can line up your next punch to make even punches every time -very cool.

The color combo is Olive, Juniper, Honey and Cocoa. Great boy colors!



And now for our 2nd Papemaps sketch challenge:




I'm trying to use up my stash I've been hoarding for too long....

I got out the retired Building Blocks paper kit from CTMH. The ABC border is from Rusty Pickle (I've had it for a few years now) along with some stickers (ack, stickers!) that have also been sitting in a drawer...still in the packaging. No stamping on this one - I can't believe it! :-)

I even got out one of my DCWV quote stacks and found one that went well with the pictures of my sweet baby boy (who is not such a baby now at 5 years old). Once I had the pictures and supplies figured out, it didn't take me long to complete this LO. I had looked at the pictures several times before and wasn't sure how to lay them out, but seeing the sketch and knowing the paper I wanted to use kicked this one page creation into high gear.


Our 3rd challenge:

Stealing Snuggles. My 3rd child is not a snuggler. My husband and I are a little sad about this since she is our last. So when she fell back asleep on the couch after her nap one day, my hubby took advantage. And I was able to snap a few pictures of the rare moment.

I've been wanting to scrap these pictures for a few months now and without the sketch, I never would've done circles with 2 of the photos! Circles can be tough to incorporate in a LO but they are a lot of fun and bring a fresh look to your pages.

I painted, stamped, used buttons, brads, ribbons, felt stars, sheer letters, bling...lots here on this one!


I hope you enjoyed the products of my challenges this week! Now go out and challenge yourself today or tonight and get something done!


Happy Creating!
Kim

I am a Friend of PageMaps!

Yes, it's true. I've said it before and I'll say it again and again and again. http://www.pagemaps.com/ is a great site for sketches for layouts and cards. I was a featured friend this month for CardMaps. If you'd like to design a layout or card for Becky, follow one of the links on her web site for more information on how you can be a friend too.

I was **so** excited to find Becky's sketch book available in Michael's this last week. It was an early birthday present to myself since I already had my 40% coupon in hand and happened to be browsing the book section when I came upon it. I love all the pictures and tips and can't wait to get started using it with that never ending pile of pictures in my crafting corner.

Here is my card for the sketch I was assigned. So many possibilities with each sketch. Being the literal person I am, I followed the sketch pretty much detail for detail. Well, I did change the sentiment on the front. :-)


Don't forget to check out all the other fabulous layouts and cards (new sketches for cards are posted every 3 months) this month!

Happy Labor Day! Happy September!