Pink by Design Two Year Anniversary Extravaganza: Challenge 4

Chugging along to the fourth challenge!  This was to use a a silhouette shape.  I've done a card with a silhouette before for a wedding because the Sweethearts cartridge has really nice ones.  But I decided to try another route and use "A Child's Year" because to be honest, I've never even touched that cartridge before! I purchased it for $10 a while ago when Michaels had that huge sale.  I flipped through the handbook pages and saw the umbrella cut and knew which sentiment to use!

What's great about silhouette cuts is that there aren't any layers to glue on, so these cards can be pretty easy to make.  They also look great on patterned paper since the image is just black.  I had plans to stamp the sentiment from "Spring Has Sprung" at the bottom of the page, but I cut the image too big.  Then I thought about using my white embossing powder again since I love how it turned out earlier.  Thankfully, the sentiment fit on the umbrella itself!

I just added silver wire-ish ribbon on the sides to give it a little extra something.  I was surprised to find that the roll was almost finished but then again, it was actually a roll from when my mom did craft projects!  I started thinking about how I used to go to Creativity and Fabric Bonanza with her all the time when those were the craft stores we had before Michaels and AC Moore.  Guess I technically got the bug from her!

Pink by Design Two Year Anniversary Extravaganza: Challenge 3

Pink by Design's third challenge was to use wet or dry embossing on the card.  I had already used wet embossing for the white words on my door sign so my materials and tools were all out, but I thought I'd do dry embossing on this one since my Cuttlebug hadn't been used in so long!

I cut out the layer for my card in white, but then I decided to glue on strips of blue cardstock so that I could have some variety in color.  I think I'll try this again in the future but attempt a rainbow!  I purposely chose blue for this project because (1) I had the most variety of blue in my scraps and (2) I need to make more boy cards!  I'm always using pinks and purples.  Even when I use green, I usually have pink with it too!

I used the Cuttlebug folder calling "Traffic Jam" for my base.  The sneaker came from the Nifty Fifties cartridge even though it looks like a more modern high-top Converse.  No, I didn't remember the name; I had to ask hubby!  I'm "old" in that I already wear New Balance and Crocs, haha.  The sentiment came from Pink by Design's "Big Thoughts" set.  I love just how bold the words are in some sets and just how delicate they are in other sets.  Moving on to the next challenge!

Pink by Design Two Year Anniversary Extravaganza: Challenge 2

The theme for Challenge 2 was a favorite holiday!  I'm super excited to be able to celebrate Christmas with my husband this year.  My plan a while back was to get Disney stockings so that we can fill them with fun little gifts instead of having to buy anything major (we're still in save mode as newlyweds!).  The little things would be edible stuff like a bag of almonds for him or Hershey's drops for me and other fun goodies like Lego mini-figurines for him and $1 stamps for me!  With that excitement in my mind, I just had to make a Christmas card.

I used the cute reindeer from the Doodlecharms cartridge and then pulled out my one stack of Christmas paper that I bought last year from Recollections called "Bright and Jolly."  I have to be conscious in using more patterned paper because I'm so used to sticking to solid colors.  Patterned paper can really make a difference, I think!

The sentiment came from Pink by Design's set called "Christmas Wishes."  I adhered that to the bottom corner and then used foam adhesive to pop up the reindeer.  Even though it's only July, it makes me ready for Christmas!

Pink by Design Two Year Anniversary Extravaganza: Challenge 1

In celebration of Pink by Design's two year anniversary, Sarah, Kyle (Mr. Pink!), and the Design Team have planned challenges for the entire day on the hour!  There will be prizes for each challenge, and a free stamp set if every challenge is completed!  I'm hoping I can finish all the challenges.  It's a great way to get myself crafting since otherwise I'd probably just be sleeping all day, haha.

Challenge #1 was a Home Decor project.  Since I just got married, I decided to make a door sign for our new apartment door.  I cut out the letters of our last name in 3 inches using the Mickey Font.  I didn't want to go all out with Disney stuff, so I just used the font.  Then I cut out the shadow as well in pink and green, which were the colors we had for our wedding!

Although we didn't have to use Pink by Design stamps, I was trying to work it in somehow, and I had a brilliant idea (okay, I thought it was brilliant) to use the "Faith" stamp set (one of my all-time favorites) to emboss "Faith," "Hope," "Love," and "Joy" in white on each letter.  I pray that our home (apartment or house, wherever we are in the future as well) will be filled with those things!

I used an EK Success border punch for the black background.  I actually opened my drawer (my punches are the one thing that I actually have organized in the new apartment!) and had Howard choose one!  I didn't want to choose a girly one, so it was easier to have him do it.  He chose that one because it was all about the lines, which he likes because he's all about the architectural/technical/geeky things.  

The last step was to add some pink and green twine, which I had on hand because we used them to tie the chocolate pretzel bags for our wedding favors at the church.  I didn't think I'd enjoy doing this home decor project that much, but I actually did!  It definitely brings some cheer to our door!

Pink by Design Anniversary Party

Come and Join the Pink by Design Team for an awesome event to celebrate TWO YEARS!  There will be giveaways, challenges, and flash sales all day long!

It's definitely worth checking out.  Since I started crafting, I have been a huge fan of Pink by Design.  The stamps are of excellent quality, and there's so much variety!  Not only are the products amazing, the designer Sarah Hamer and her hubby Kyle (we know him as Mr. Pink!) are amazing as well!  In the beginning, I had millions of questions for them, and I got replies back so quickly.  Getting to "hang out" with everyone during the UStreams for the stamp releases is one of the highlights of my month since I don't always get a chance to craft (still dealing with the new apartment!), but I can be with other crafty friends and get inspired.  

I personally can't wait for all the challenges because it'll motivate me to be creative.  As I finish up my bridal shower thank you cards (24 cards mass produced), I'm itching for some variety!  Plus, I'm really eager about the flash sales because I haven't purchased stamps in a LONG time.  I have a bunch on my wishlist that are just one step away from "Add to Cart," so a good sale is what I need.  "Pray" is at the top of my list!  

Hope to see you there!