Christmas Butterflies

Hello Everyone,

The end of the year brings goodbye's and hello's. And for today I am announcing that this is my last entry as design team member for Brown Sugar Challenge Blog. It has been a fantastic experience with challenges played, voted, and designed with many talented crafters. Thank you to Kim for giving me this opportunity! Here is my last card.. Enjoy!

Christmas colors and butterflies who would have thought that would be a good combination?

Theme - Buttons

Sponsor

Morgans Art

Stohttp://www.artstampsstore.com/

Festive colors and starry background creates a magical scene

The theme this week is buttons. Working with the sponsor image, I decided to make little button bodies.

Gold banding under the copper sentiments see to give the perfect glittery detail.

This is not a traditional Christmas card but I think it relays the magic of Christmas very well.  The wings of the butterflies were colored using Christmas colors and the 'sparkle' in the yellow'ish background creates the illusion of light (at least I hope it does!). These magical creatures also have buttons for their bodies accented with very thin gold tread. To me, it looks like a place where  children want to go to laugh and flutter around with the butterflies.

The sentiment is die-cut with the same material as the buttons which is cut from copper colored paper. I thought the combination would compliment the butterflies. The gold color from the banding is also accented on the butterflies buttons. This unusual scene not normally seen this time of year.. But why not? That is exactly what I asked and answered with 'why not!!'.

Thank you so much for joining me today and I do hope you can hop over and see all the other inspiration cards that were created by this very talented design team.  And who knows it may prompt you to join in the fun! Take care all and see you soon!

All the best,
Shawna

Harlequin Birthday

Hello All,

If you are in the United States, I am sure by now you are all stuffed silly with turkey, green bean casserole, and pie; just to name a few..  Here is a quick word of assurance; holiday calories don't count (I just have to tell my scale this little clause). So, go ahead! and have that 'larger then life' leftover plate with an extra helping of pie!!

I have found a few moments between plates to let you know that Brown Sugar is having a new challenge! For this week our theme is: Pearls. Here is my card! Enjoy!!

This digi stamp is called 'The Mad Hatter'.
I thought the diamond designer paper would be a good match for this design.

Our theme for this week:

Pearls

Our sponsor is Sassy Studio Designs.

Store - http://buysassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.uk/

Blog - http://www.sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.co.uk/

Prize - 4 Digi images of winners choice

I used the pearls to frame the corners of our 'Mad Hatter'
For a bit of dimension, I also used the pearls for the top of her dress.

The dark CS had to be layered with a more friendly writing color, white.
I used the left over designer paper on the inside to give it a bit more interest.

The spotlighting technique seemed appropriate for this
funky stamp. The use of a diamond shape only adds
to its uniqueness and theme. 

I do hope you will join us at Brown Sugar this week.. I am looking forward to see what you create with pearls! Thank you so much for stopping by and we will see you soon..

All the best,
Shawna

Winter Wonderland

Hello Everyone,

For today I am writing on behalf of Brown Sugar Challenge Blog. This weeks theme is:

NO patterned paper

This is a challenge that I found to be quite difficult. More about that later. Here is my card for tonight. Enjoy!

White snowy texture surrounding this colorful scene.

Theme for this week is 'no patterned paper'

Our sponsor this week is the talented Morgans Art! These images are just amazingly detailed.. I had the idea later but some of the detailed scenes could be perfect for using the spotlighting technique. She also has other amazing images that you should check out her store. It will surely amaze! 

Their prize this week are
3 digi stamps from Morgans Art.

A close up of the winter girl possibility making a wish.
The coat color coordinates nicely with the background sunset.

I decided to surround this Winter Wonderland all in white
to depict the whiteness of snow. This allows the image to pop.

Detail image of the snowflake touches to this winter scene
I decided this design didn't need anymore surrounding color but it did need
some texture.

If you follow me regularly, you might have noticed that I have used this image once before. Originally, I designed the other card for the BSCB inspiration card. When I was preparing the last finishing touches on the card I realized that I didn't know what the theme was for this week; then realizing you couldn't use patterned paper... Oops! So back to the drawing board I went and came out with this card.

In the end, I had a great time creating both and I feel both turned out so well.

Well that should do it for me.. I want to thank you so much for spending some of your day with me.. I really do appreciate it and do hope you can join us at Brown Sugar. I am looking forward to see your designs!! Take care all and see you soon.

All the best,

Shawna 

Flower Challenge

Good evening All!

During a time of snowflakes and snowman I think it would be a good idea to remember flowers. Thanks to Brown Sugar Challenge Blog and our sponsor Sami Stamps we can! Here is my card for tonight.

Our theme this week at Brown Sugar Challenge flowers.

Our theme this week
Flowers

Hop on over to see some other images from our
sponsor, Sami Stamps.
They even have some free images to choose from!

This card is very subtle and fitting for a
sympathy card.

To me this woman is hanging her head in grief.
Touching and poignant. 

The die cut flourish and bundle of flowers add to the color of this card.

Sympathy cards seem to be a bit challenging for me... You want the right image and message to convey your condolences without being too drippy or insensitive. I think color has a lot to do with setting the tone of a card. Here I added soft subtle colors surrounded by a simple burgundy frame. To me this seems appropriate for a sympathy card. So grateful I am not needing to use it right now but when the time is right it here waiting..

Thank you so much for stopping by and really appreciate your visit today. Looking forward to seeing your cards at BSCB! Link up and join the fun!! Have a great day and for those who celebrate Halloween have fun and be safe!!

All the best,
Shawna

Purple and Green

Hello All,

Today I am writing in behalf of Brown Sugar Challenge Blog and the theme this week are two colors I usually don't put together very often; purple and green. However, what a wonderful time of year to use them right? Well here is my card.

Lots of eyeballs looking your way!
They all made for a wonderful Halloween card.

Challenge for this week:
Purple and Green
The sponsor this week is
Brown Sugar Challenge Blog!
The winner will get a $6.00 voucher to ANY digi store they desire.

This card has tons of dimension along with a lot of fun..
The chevron using double sided paper and just folding the
corners allowed for this unique texture.

 The prize to ANY digi store is pretty sweet (no pun intended) and I hope you come on over and join us at Brown Sugar Challenge Blog. Looking forward to what you come up with... Take care and see you there.

All the best,
Shawna

Gothic Chic

Hello Everyone,

For today I am writing on behalf of Brown Sugar Challenge Blog. The theme this week is Shabby Chic. When I saw this challenge I had to look it up again and again. I had NO IDEA what I was going to do.. I made lists, sketched, and researched then I thought how can I marry Halloween with Shabby Chic. Then I had my eureka moment; Goth! Here is my card for tonight:

Gothic gate fold card featuring our witch sponsored by Lacy Sunshine Stamps.
Lots of detail, dimension, and aged appearance is the hallmark of Shabby Chic. 

The theme this week at Brown Sugar Challenge Blog is
Shabby Chic!

We also have a fantastic sponsor for this week

Lacy Sunshine Stamps.

Store - http://lacysunshine.weebly.com/

Blog - http://www.lacysunshinechallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Grand prize are 3 digi stamps from Lacy Sunshine Stamps!

I really enjoyed working with Lacy Sunshine Stamps. The image was clear and so much fun to color. Like I mentioned above I wanted to create a Gothic scene that revolved around the witch. Architecture was very important in this design. Note the windows, columns, and details above the window are all elements for Gothic Architecture. It also proved to make a fantastic Halloween card!

Tons of depth and lots of dimensional adhesive. I wanted to keep the background dark and dank allowing the witch to quite literally pop off the card. The scene in the far background is a sheet of PP I had in my stash.. It depicts a full moon behind branches. Just right for this card!

This little witch colored using PrismaColor pencils and, of all things, a vellum marker. The marker allowed the witch to be a bit a darker. Look at those dark eyes and black lips!!

A gate fold seemed appropriate for this scene.
It seems like you are walking right into the space.

The card when it is closed.

Entering the following challenges:

CAS-ual Chic: CCC04: Tic-Tac-Toe'ing (I chose coloring, spritzing, die cutting)

Creative Corner Challenges: BOOOOOOOO!

Crafting with an Attitude: Challenge #8- ATG
Crafts Galore Encore: Challenge #22- Halloween 

Creative Knockouts: #109- Lots of Layers

Dragon Lair Designs: October...Halloween
Creatalicious Challenges: #79- Halloween

I am out for the night.. Take care everyone and I hope to see you at Brown Sugar this week. I am so looking forward to see what you create. Remember when you link up you will qualify for prizes! You have to be in it to win it!! Take care and thank you so much for stopping by.. We will see you soon.

All the best,

Shawna 

Ballerina on Ice

Hello Everyone,

There is a new challenge at Brown Sugar Challenge Blog! For this week the theme will be 'Anything but a Card'. It is my forte to make cards so this was quite the challenge for me as a design team member. So what did I make?

Printed her two times reversing one image then sandwiched them together!

I made a ballerina skating on a snowflake thingy. How am I going to use it? I thought the same thing! I think I may go to a thrift store get an old rotating music box and retrofit this little girl. Or make it into an ornament.. But I have a funny feeling once my daughter takes a look at it it will be hers (as I am writing this she found it.. Gone!).

Added one sequin at the base of the
snowflake for a bit of sparkle

The addition of the little pearls for her buttons and hair accessory is
just the right touch to wrap this design up!


UPDATE: I CREATED A COORDINATING CARD. 

Entering Challenges:
Christmas Card Challenges: Anything Goes
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge: Buttons and Bows

Crafty Sentiment Designs provided this amazing digi stamp! Isn't she too cute? I encourage you to stop on over there and see what they have to offer for your 'Anything but a Card' challenge. I you will not be disappointed! They have excellent selection at fair prices.

Our fab sponsor for this week at BSCB!

I hope this invokes a spark of creativity and I am looking forward to seeing what you come with at Brown Sugar Challenge Blog. So hop on over there and link up!! See you there!

That is it for me I want to thank you for stopping by and any comments would be appreciated!! We will see you soon at TheGrandStampede.

All the best,
Shawna

Bookworm

Greeting Everyone!

For today I am posting on behalf of the Brown Sugar Challenge Blog. It is time for a new challenge and this weeks challenge is quite different from the norm. Their theme this week is to use something recycled! It was a difficult task for me to upcycle; I had to quite literally pick through my craft trash can (good thing it is mostly paper!) and grab some things. Yes folks, I was craft trash picking!! Here is my card for today! Enjoy!!

I decided to enhance his eyes to look like this little guy has
bottle caps for glasses.
(Kind of like me when I was a child)

I die cut 'teacher' twice one in blue the
other the same green as the grass to make it stand out.

A close-up of my recycled items.
Which are ribbon, paper, and patterned paper.

I decided to add some dimension to the book
the worm is reading by adding extra pages.

Brown Sugar Challenge would also like to introduce our sponsor Robyn's Fetish. I really enjoyed their store, I found it to be very organized, excellent description of the item, and easy to checkout. Plus, their images are just too delightful.. If you haven't already been there check it out.

Robyn's Fetish is giving away
3 digi stamps of your choice to one lucky winner!

This is the image I decided to use for inspiration! With school right around the corner I just couldn't resist using this bookworm to make a card for my son's teacher.

Source

So you might already know but my recycled item would be the ribbon and the paper for the book and the paper for the die cuts. These all came from my craft trash! I am thinking it may be time to empty my trash..

So come on over and check out Brown Sugar Challenge Blog and see what the other DT members have created.. This is a very unique and inspiring challenge.. I promise you will never look at your trash the same way again!

I am also entering this card to

TIME OUT Challenge: Make Your Mark- challenge #49


Well that is all for me tonight! I hope everyone is having a great day and we will see you soon with some new news and a new design. Until then thank you and please feel free to leave a comment.. Take care!

All the best,
Shawna