A Few October Challenges from Swirlydoos

It's October and that means Halloween - one of my favorite Crafty Holidays! To start the celebration, I've given both of the Swirlydoos Challenges that I'm hosting this month an eerie flavor.

First, the ATF (All That Flutters) Challenge, where it's basically anything goes, as long as the entry follows that month's theme. All you have to do is create a project (scrapbook layout, canvas, card, tag, OTP project, it’s up to you) that includes something that “flutters” – butterflies, dragonflies, bees, ladybugs, birds, fairies – we all have these among our embellies, dies and punches, right?

There's a random draw for a small RAK at the end of the month; I've given the details here in the Swirlydoos Forums.

I've created this layout as an example and I've taken some liberties with the flutterbies, using an owl, a bat, a couple of witches and assorted ghosts.

I've used the Ocean Voyage paper from Blue Fern Studios' Wanderlust collection as my base, knowing that once I inked the edges with a bit of Distress Ink, the colors and textures would be perfect. I applied a very heavy layer of Graphite Texture Paste through an old (and loved) Crafter's Workshop stencil and allowed it to air dry. Meanwhile, I dug out some Creative Embellishment chippies left over from last year, primed them with gesso and then painted them with Raven Black Sparks paint. There were also a couple of tombstones in the pack; a few spritzes of Color Bloom in Frost on the bare chippies was all they needed.

And now for assemblage: The photo was adhered to some packaging to make it pop and glued to the paper. Next, I arranged my "mist", gluing the cheesecloth here and there and adding the tombstones to one side. The rest of the chippies came next; and then my "ghosts": some of the new Tim Holtz Paper Dolls, some simply glued, others attached with foam tape. I finished my page by scattering some black pearls here and there to fill in the empty spaces.

Some ghostly closeups:

Supplies

*Swirlydoos August 2017 "Sunshine" Kit*

Blue Fern Studios - Wanderlust Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Ocean Voyage

Other Supplies

The Crafter's Workshop - 12 x 12 Doodling Templates - Branches Reversed #TCW251

Creative Embellishments - Laser Cut Chipboard - Halloween Scene 2

Advantus - Tim Holtz - Idea-ology Collection  - Paper Dolls - Ancestors

Kaisercraft - Self Adhesive Pearls - Black #SB793

Prima - Art Extravagance - Texture Paste - Graphite

Prima - Finnabair - Art Alchemy - Sparks Acrylic Paint - Raven Black

Prima - Color Bloom - Spray Mist - Frost

Golden - Gesso

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pad - Hickory Smoke

Cheesecloth

Aleene's Tacky Glue

Black Foam Tape

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Next is the Card Challenge - a fun and easy way to use up some scraps and to create some "make aheads" for upcoming celebrations.

Well, that's what it usually is; but this month, it's all about Halloween. I've given all of the details here; meanwhile here are a few ATC cards that I put together as examples.

I decided to make my own background paper for these. I cut a few pieces of cream cardstock to 3.25" x 2.25" and rounded the edges. They were stamped with a script stamp and then colored with Distress Ink and glued to black cardstock that was cut to regular ATC size.

All of the images are from Tim Holtz's Halloween themed ephemera; I've added some bling from my stash.

Supplies

Recollections - 8.5 x 11 Cardstock - Cream

Recollections - 8.5 x 11 Cardstock - Black

Inkadinkadoo - Wood Mounted Stamp - DH Letter #ink8347

Ranger - Archival Ink - Jet Black

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pad - Carved Pumpkin

Ranger Ink - Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pad - Hickory Smoke

Advantus - Tim Holtz - Idea-ology Collection - Ephemera Pack - Halloween

Kaisercraft - Self Adhesive Pearls - Black #SB793

Aleene's Tacky Glue

Black Foam Tape

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If you’re ready to start getting perfectly coordinated, top of the line scrapbook kits delivered to your door, please visit us at www.swirlydoos.com. Mention my name (Peggy) when you subscribe and you’ll receive 10% off your first kit, AND a coupon good for 30% off your entire purchase in the Swirlydoos.com store!

The Men in Our Lives - A Few Cards for the September Swirlydoos Card Challenge

I'm now hosting the Swirlydoos Card Challenge; this month, it's all about "The Men in Our Lives"! Curious? Why not stop by and see what it's all about?

Here are the cards that I created as examples (there's a supply list at the end of the post):

My first card features a few of the bits that were included in the "Sprocket" Embellishment Add-On, along with a few of the goodies that came in the Mediums Kit. I cut a piece from the Scrapberry's Records paper that would measure 1/4" more than the 7 Gypsies Junque Garage sticker and inked the edges. The sticker was adhered to a thin piece of chipboard (actually a cereal box) and glued to the base. The chippies were all coated with Crackle Paste and allowed to dry. Next, I covered them with the Inka Gold and allowed it to set overnight. To complete the "rusted" look, I dusted them all with Artisan Powder and glued them to the card.

The second card certainly fits the phrase "quick and easy". I cut a piece of cardstock to 4"x 6" and a piece of the Memos paper just a bit smaller. After inking all of the edges, I glued them together, with another piece of cereal box in between to give them a bit of dimension. The pocket watch was fussy cut from the Stopwatch sheet and inked. Next, I made a chain from some of the jump rings that came in the Project Kit. After using some foam tape to adhere the watch to the card, I attached the chain to the top with a brad from the Main Kit. A few wood bits from the May 2016 Embellishment Kit and I was done.

Well, we can't forget the little guys in our lives, can we? My grandsons' love of dinosaurs gave me this idea for an incredibly fun and easy card. I simply cut and scored a bit of cardstock and glued pieces of the packaging from the 7 Gypsies Junque Garage stickers that I had cut to size and inked. Before adhering these pieces, I poked some holes on the sides to fasten my brads. The dinosaurs were cut from scraps on my Cameo and attached with foam tape to make them "pop". To finish my card, I simply printed my sentiment on cream cardstock, cut and inked the words and again, gave them a "pop" with foam tape.

Not only were these cards were so quick and easy to create; they were a great way to use up my scraps. I hope I've inspired you to make some cards for the men in YOUR life!

Supplies

*Swirlydoos July 2017 Sprocket Kit*

Scrapberry's - Words Live Forever Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - 7th Street Library

Scrapberry's - Words Live Forever Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Records

Scrapberry's - Words Live Forever Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Memos

Scrapberry's - Words Live Forever Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Stopwatches

Creative Embellishments - Laser Cut Chipboard - Mini Gears 3/4"

Prima - Sunrise Sunset Collection - Mechanicals - Vintage Trinkets - Metal Embellishments - Brads #960384

*Swirlydoos July 2017 Cardstock Add-On*

Darice - Core'dinations - 12 x 12 Canvas Texture Cardstock - Java Bean

*Swirlydoos July 2017 Project Kit*

Darice - Jewelry Designer Jump Rings - 18 Gauge - Antique Copper - 8mm

*Swirlydoos July 2017 Embellishment Add-On*

7 Gypsies - Architextures - Junque Garage Stickers #7G25033

Creative Embellishments - Laser Cut Chipboard - Mantle Steampunk Gear Timepiece

*Swirlydoos July 2017 Mediums Kit*

DecoArt - Media - Crackle Paste - White 4oz #DMM17

Viva Decor - Inka Gold - Metal Gloss Paint - Lava Red #915

Prima - Memory Hardware - Artisan Powder - La Chapeliere #991203

*Swirlydoos May 2016 Embellishment Kit*

Hampton Arts - Jillibean Soup - Wordfetti - Wood - Celebrate

Other Supplies

Ranger - Tim Holtz - Distress Ink Pad - Ground Espresso

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If you’re ready to start getting perfectly coordinated, top of the line scrapbook kits delivered to your door, please visit us at www.swirlydoos.com. Mention my name (Peggy) when you subscribe and you’ll receive 10% off your first kit, AND a coupon good for 30% off your entire purchase in the Swirlydoos.com store!

In Stitches - A Few Cards for the August Swirlydoos Card Challenge

I'm now hosting the Swirlydoos Card Challenge; this month, it's all about "stitches"! Curious? Why not stop by and see what it's all about?

Here are the cards that I created as examples (there's a supply list at the end of the post):

The first card features machine stitches. I cut a piece of Purple Moon cardstock to 5" x 7", a piece of April Lovely cardstock to 4⅞" x 6⅞" and a piece of the Midnight Beauty paper to 4¾" x 6¾" and adhered them in the center with a little bit of glue. (I only glued the center; I didn't want any adhesive to get on the needle.) Then, I simply used my sewing machine to create some fancy stitching around the border. A resin frame, some blooms and a sentiment from my stash and I was done!

For my second card, I wanted to feature hand stitching. First, I layered more of the Purple Moon cardstock, cut to 4" x 6" and 3" x 5", with a 3¾" x 5¾" piece of Midnight Beauty in between. I applied some DecoArt Metallic Lustre to a bit of chipboard from my stash to create a background for my flowers: the smaller ones from Wild Orchid, the larger ones die cut and layered. Oh, yes, the hand stitching: rather than sewing around the border, I decided to take my needle and thread and add a bit of interest to my pearl centers by passing the needle though twice and leaving bits of thread "tails".

My third card, which is also being used as an example for the August ATF Challenge, features faux stitching, a technique that I learned from Rae Moses. First, I cut a piece of the April Lovely cardstock to 5" x 7", then another piece of the Midnight Beauty paper to 4¾" x 6¾". I flipped the pattern paper over; the "stitching" shows up much better on the lighter color. To create the effect, I simply used a tracing wheel to create a pattern of holes around the border. (You can create the same effect with a craft pick or a heavy needle.) Next, I took a gel pen and drew lines between the holes. I deliberately did not aim for perfection here; I wanted to create the look of actual hand stitching. When this was done, I glued the paper to the cardstock and added some more of the chipboard (I left this one bare). A few blooms from the May Swirlydoos kit, some bits of cheesecloth, and a garden fairy that I've had forever completed my card. 

These cards were so quick and easy to create; I hope I've inspired you to do some stitching of your own.

Supplies

*Swirlydoos May 2017 Spring Grunge Kit*

Prima - Rose Quartz Collection - 12 x 12 Double Sided Paper - Midnight Beauty #848019

Prima - Rose Quartz Collection - Flower Embellishments - Black Marble #595067

*Swirlydoos May 2017 Cardstock Add-On*

Core'dinations - 12 x 12 Foundations Cardstock - April Lovely

*Swirlydoos May 2017 Flower Add-On*

Prima - Rose Quartz Collection - Flower Embellishments - Petal Marble #595111

*Swirlydoos May 2017 Embellishment Add-On*

DecoArt - Metallic Lustre - Wax Metallic Finish - Rose Gold

*Swirlydoos October 2016 Project Kit*

Prima - Salvage District Collection - Flower Embellishments - Marble Court #586478

Other Supplies

Prima - Resin Frames - Antique White 1 #572358

Prima - Flower Embellishments - Bluebell #590420

Prima - Memory Hardware - Pearls 2 #991944

Prima - Resin Collection - Resin Icons in Wood Box - Fairy #573324

Core'dinations - Core Essentials Cardstock - Purple Moon

Advantus - Tim Holtz - Idea-ology Collection - Small Talk - Occasions

Cosmo Cricket - Cardstock Stickers - Tiny Text - Just Because

Blue Fern Studios - Laser Cut Chipboard - Floral Lattice Bits

Wild Orchid Crafts - Apple Blossoms

Tresors DeLuxe - Shabby Chic Roses

Tools

Spellbinders - Donna Salazar - Shapeabilities Collection - Rose Creations #ds5050

Tracing Wheel

Pilot G2 Pen

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If you’re ready to start getting perfectly coordinated, top of the line scrapbook kits delivered to your door, please visit us at www.swirlydoos.com. Mention my name (Peggy) when you subscribe and you’ll receive 10% off your first kit, AND a coupon good for 30% off your entire purchase in the Swirlydoos.com store!