Inspiration Elevator: Guest Designer July 2014

Look where I'm guest designing!

Our main purpose here at IE is to challenge ourselves, each other and YOU to take the creative process to the next level; to inspire growth and change in our scrapbooking; to stretch, sometimes uncomfortably, to create something fresh.  You can view all of the challenges at the Inspiration Elevator blog, found here.  You can also find them on Facebook!  My individual challenges from prior IE challenges are found on my blog here.

The IE team is thrilled to welcome back as guest designer, the delightful Denise Morrison.  Denise's artsy style conveys layers of artistic and emotional significance, and we love her artful scribbles!

I am honoured to be a guest challenger this month - Here is my challenge:

We all know that the contents of our bags, whether it's a handbag, a satchel, a clutch or a backpack, reveals a lot about ourselves. This month, create a layout about the contents of your bag on any given day. Be sure to include the stories behind any unconventional items.

As a further challenge, use one of the items on your page somehow!

My project this month strays a bit from the challenge (gosh, I can't even follow my OWN directions! haha)  However, once I get an idea in my head, I'm done - no amount of mojo is going to change it.  And this month, my mojo has got up and left - we had flooding issues and our lower level (where my studio is located) is in complete turmoil.  I cleared out a teeny two-foot space and had limited access to supplies.

When all is said and done though, I like the simplicity of this layout - and it's a two-pager, which is very rare for me (excuse the wonky layout photos - my printer is acting out!):

Supplies used:  Bazzill Basics and unknown cardstock; Cheery Lynn die; Just Cre8 stamps (Floral Flourishes); Martha Stewart Crafts scoring board and punch; Fiskars stylus; Silhouette Cameo die cutting machine; Lori Whitlock cut file; Loni Leah Designs cut file; Sizzix Big Kick; Sizzix and Stampin' Up! embossing folders; EK Success punch; American Craft glitter Thickers; Tsukineko VersaMark ink; Multicrafts half pearls; Recollectins washi tape; American Crafts Memory Marker; embroidery floss; Imaginisce metal embellishment; Craftwork Cards Candi dots; Lawn Fawn sequins; miscellaneous beads and sequins; various mini brads from my stash; unknown heart clip; plastic re-sealable bag.

Here's a close-up of each page:

The little purse was created by using a Lori Whitlock cut file for a treat bag topper.  I re-sized it to fit my bag (2" wide) and filled the bag with a coordinating mix of sequins, beads and Candi Dots.  I snipped the bag to the size I wanted, sandwiched it between the topper and stapled it closed.  Isn't it adorable?!

I'm killing two birds with one stone with this layout, as it also coincides with Challenge #1 on my new challenge blog, Exhaust Your Excess! (or EYE! for short!)  Each Sunday, one of our design team members will challenge you to use up some of your stash!

I was inspired by this fabulous colour palette by Design Seeds (you need to check out this beautiful site!):

[source]

Here's a complete list of this month's participating IE designers!  We encourage you to check out each designer's creation this month, then come on back and give the challenge a try yourself!

Guest Challenger: Sue Sykes  - you are here!

Jayne Morgan

Wendi Robinson

Lisa Moen

 Michelle Hernandez

Guest designer: Denise Morrison

Meanwhile, if you'd like to participate as a guest designer with Inspiration Elevator, just contact team lead, Ann, at annjobes{at}bell{dot}net.

Now it's your turn to get creating about what is in your bag, and share your blog link at the IE blog. We would love to see what you were inspired to make!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
July 2014 Sketchy Challenge (deadline July 31st, 2014)
Leave Your Legacy challenge - Don't Stop Believing (deadline Nov 30th, 2014)

Exhaust Your Excess! challenge blog - check it out!!

Guest Designing | Susan K. Weckesser

Today is my last day to share a project as a Guest Designer with the Susan K. Weckesser team.  I'm so thankful for the opportunity to work with Susan and her team - they are all so inspiring!

Using a purchased wooden letter and Susan's patterned papers, I created a fun decor piece for Aili's room.  You can view my blog post on Susan's blog, My Sweet Earth.

Supplies used:  Wooden letter; Susan K. Weckesser Whymsical Paper; Plaid ModPodge; Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations die (Tattered Florals); Spellbinders die (Foliage); My Favourite Things Dienamics dies (Loopy Bloom, Large Rolled Rose, Rolled Rose, Mini Rolled Roses); Recollections paper tape, wire, rhinestones; water mister; hot glue gun.

I covered the letter with patterned paper and ModPodge.  While waiting for it to dry, I cut all of my flower pieces and foliage from various papers and created my flowers.  Once the flowers were completed, I adhered them, one at a time, beginning with the largest flowers.  After all the flowers were in place, I tucked in my foliage as needed, and added rhinestones as accents to a few flowers.

The corkscrew tendrils were created by covering thin wire with green paper tape and curling around the handle of my paper piercer.  So easy and adds great texture!

Here's a view from the right and left sides.

Thanks again to Susan and her team for their kindness and inspiration over the last few months!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

Sketchy Challenge:  May 2013 (deadline May 31/13)
Leave Your Legacy:  Pet Peeves (deadline Aug 31/13)

Guest Designing: Susan K. Weckesser

Today I posted another project on Susan K. Weckesser's blog, My Sweet Earth.  I created a little mini sketch book to use for when inspiration strikes!

I really like how this one turned out!

I also covered a pencil in coordinating stamped paper:

You can see more details on the blog HERE...

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges running on my blog for a chance to win:

Sketchy Challenge:  April 2013 (deadline:  Apr 30/13)  - That's TODAY!

Leave Your Legacy: Embrace Change (deadline:  May 31/13)

Guest Designer: Susan K. Weckesser

Today, I posted another project completed for my Guest Designer position over on the Susan K. Weckesser blog, my sweet earth.

In this post, I talked about how her beautiful whimsical papers were a bit intimidating for me.  I felt like I had to create all sorts of complicated mixed media or artsy carefree items, which is not really my style.

I was delighted, however, to find that despite this, I was able to create a rather simple, classic-styled layout that was true to my graphic style!

Here's my layout:

Supplies used:  Susan K. Weckesser patterned papers; Bazzill cardstock; Susan K. Weckesser/Unity Stamp Co. stamps (A Little Bit Washi); Tsukineko and Memento inks; Basic Grey alpha letters; Finetec watercolours; Scrapbooks Adhesives dimensional adhesive; The Robin's Nest Dew Drops.

You can view close-ups and read more about this layout HERE on Susan's blog.

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

It's a Sketchy Challenge:  March 2013 (deadline:  Mar 31/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Embrace Change (deadline:  May 31/13

Guest Designing for Susan K. Weckesser

Today, I'm featured on {my sweet earth}, Susan K. Weckesser's blog.  I am honoured to have been asked to act as a Guest Designer for the next three months - they have a very talented design team, and Susan is the sweetest person, ever!

Here's my project:

It's going right up on the shelf in my studio... :)

You can see more detailed photos, and a brief description of my process here on the blog!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

Leave Your Legacy: Embrace Change (deadline:  May 31/13
It's a Sketchy Challenge:  February 2013 (deadline:  Mar 14/13)

GDT - Just Imagine Crafts

Today, my final project using the Kreaxions products.  You can see it on their blog here.

I used a Unity Stamp Co. stamp that I've had for a while now - just haven't had the opportunity to use it!  It's so funny:

Supplies used: HalCraft USA card base;  Bazzill cardstock, Kreaxions circle cutter; Crafter's Companion Ultra Smooth Premium White cardstock; Unity Stamp Co. stamp (Crappy Day); Spectrum Noir markers (palette below);  My Little ShoeBox patterned paper; Ranger Industries Glossy Accents; Maya Road ribbon; Scrapbooks Adhesives foam adhesive.

Spectrum Noir palette:

TP Roll:  IG1, IG2, Colourless blender

Hearts:  CR5, CR6, CR7, CT2, CT3, CT4, CG1, CT2, CT3

I used the Kreaxions circle cutter to cut a circle.  To be totally honest, it took me a few tries to get the hang of this tool.  But once I did, it was quite easy to use!  The only drawback, for me, is the tiny hole that is created by the tool, in the centre of your project.  Usually, you can flick your nail across the paper on the back and it covers the hole, but I can still see it on this project.   :(

I stamped the heart blocks and cut them out individually to create a border.  I popped one off to the side, and added some Glossy Accents to the heart, as well as the one on the TP roll.

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the following challenge on my blog for a chance to win:

Leave Your Legacy: What You Fear Most (deadline:  Feb 28/13)
It's a Sketchy Challenge:  February 2013 (deadline:  Mar 14/13)

GDT - Just Imagine Crafts

Another project created for the Just Imagine/Kreaxions blog last week!  You can view it on their blog here.

Supplies used:  HalCraft USA card base;  Bazzill cardstock; Kreaxions 4-in-1 punch (902 – Daisy); Crafter's Companion Ultra Smooth Premium White cardstock and stamp (Rosie Ballerina); Spectrum Noir markers (palette below);  Fancy Pants patterned paper; Spellbinders Nestabilities die (scalloped circle); Offray ribbon.

Spectrum Noir palette:
Hair:  TN7, TN8
Lips:  PP2
Tutu, shoes, ribbons:  BT1, BT2, BT3
Basket:  TN5, TN6
Posey:  CT2, CT3, LG2
Floor:  EB1, EB2
Shadowing:  IG1

I'm not crazy about this card (I think the black base is too dark - maybe a kraft or turquoise would have been better?), but I love how the stamped image turned out!  I just received this stamp a week or so ago and was dying to colour it!  So cute - and it was quick and easy to colour, since most of it was left white with just a hint of colour!

Thanks for visiting!

Guest Designer - Just Imagine Crafts

This month, I've been asked to guest design for Just Imagine Crafts.  Here's the card I created for my first project:

Supplies used:  Bazzill cardstock; Kreaxion 4-in-1 punch (902- Daisy);  Stampin' Up Textured Impressions embossing folder (Chevron); Big Kick die cutting machine; Unity Stamp Co. stamp (You are my Sunshine); Spectrum Noir markers; Offray ribbon.

Spectrum Noir palette:

Sun:  CT1, CT2, CT3

Sun rays:  CT1

Hearts:  DR4, BP2

Cloud:  IB1

Sentiment:  Bt4, BT5, BT6

 I originally planned to make a monotone card, but felt that the stamp deserved a little colour. ;)  My sun seems really splotchy in the photos.  In reality, the colours are much more blended!

To punch the border, I lightly marked the centre, using my centering ruler, and 1 cm increments on either side.  I then lined up my punch to the marked and punched, upside down to make it easier.

I will be sharing more projects throughout the month on the blog.

Also, the February sketch is posted in the It's a Sketchy Challenge gallery here.  I have been asked, along with my CS teammate, Jennifer, to join my ScrapFest girls at Younique this weekend for a fun-filled scrappy weekend so I will share my layout, along with my January layout, when I get back.

Hopefully.  You never know who's going to steal your MoJo when you're at these things... right, Christa?!? :)

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about these challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
Leave Your Legacy: What You Fear Most (deadline:  Feb 28/12)

Guest Sketch Designer > Let's Capture Our Memories

This month, I'm honoured to be featured as guest sketch designer over at Let's Capture these Sketches.   This sketch blog is on a great Canadian website, Let's Capture Our Memories.  Tanya and the ladies at LCOM have been so warm and welcoming!!

My first sketch was posted on Saturday, August 13th.  You can view it here, along with some great interpretations from the design team.  My next sketch will be up next Friday or Saturday... If you use one of my sketches, be sure to link up on their blog for a chance to win the monthly prize!

And as an added incentive, if you complete a layout using the sketch, link up on the Sketch Blog AND add a comment here with a link to your layout, I'll randomly draw a winner from the participants!  The lucky winner will receive their choice of prior kit or standard sized stamps from Just Cre8 (see here and here to see choices)!

Thanks, Tara, for letting me play along with your talented ladies this month!