There's Gnome time like Christmas...

 There is a new 613 Ave C  challenge starting Aug 4th:  "ATG or the optional Twist: "Create an Exploding Box".  You have the month of Sept. to show your creative talents!   For details of the challenge and for some very creative ideas from the DT's inspirational contributions - click HERE!
It is interesting to see that even among the DT on 613, we had two different definitions of an "Exploding Box".   You can see the other version that card makers think of by checking out the Design Team's Inspiration pieces on 613 Ave C 's website.  At least two of us thought it was this version... we decided either is correct!
The measuring and cutting of these types of projects is something I don't really enjoy - I seem to lack spatial concept skills and it takes me forever to get everything to fit exactly.  So when dies became available to make these boxes I jumped on the bandwagon!  These make a spectacular gift/card at any Holiday when people like to decorate.  The fact that it folds flat is a bonus for storage.




**The box and all the layer dies to decorate it are from a die set named  "A2 Card in a Box" by the Stamp Doctor.  The owner/designer, 
Mechele Monet, creates beautifully done written instructions and for those of you who are more visual learners like me, there are videos showing the process start to finish.  What I like best about Mechele's instructions is she almost always has the most efficient and easiest ways to connect all the parts without measuring!  [Ginny likes that!]
**The Pine trees are actually all from one die - just cut from 3 different paper scraps from my stash [a dark green, a grey-green and the DP with the stars on it.  Wink of Stella has been applied to the stars.]   This pine tree die is one of several in a set from Stampin' Up called "In the Woods Framelets".  It even cuts the front of the tree so you can lift the boughs and make it 3-D.  Love this set!  Stampin Up changes availability and "current" catalogs so often - I don't know if this is still available or not.  I could not find this die with a search of the website.  I have used 5 trees on this project - 3 are cut shorter by just cutting off the top of the trees to the length I need.  The 5th tree is on the back - see picture below.

**The very tall grass is a die is by Stephanie Barnard from The StampsofLife.com

The box folds flat for mailing - it easily pops open to the display mode.

Create wildly and color with abandon!

~ginny

CHALLENGES:
Penny's Challenge #445 – ATG Always
Through the Craft Room Door - ATG Always
CHNC-X-mas #453 – ATG X-mas/Option: Something beginning with an 'S' [Song]
Gem of a Challenge - #17 - ATG
Crafty Creations - #397 – ATG Always Top 3
Simon Says Wed – ATG
Sweet Stampin' Christmas – ATG X-mas/optional: Snow People
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends - #113 – ATG Always
SheepSki Designs #30 – Die Cuts or Punches TOP THREE
Get Creative Challenges – #84 – ATG / No Twist WINNER
Crafty Hazelnut's DP Challenge – Always ATG
A Place to Start – ATG

Sup?

This was created this for the new 613 Ave C  challenge starting Sept 1:  "ATG/ optional Twist: Make it CAS"  You have the whole month of September to show your creative talents!   For details of the challenge and for some very creative ideas from the DT's incredible inspiration concepts -  click HERE!

I recently purchased the Tim Holtz set "Hipster" of real-red-Rubber [unmounted] stamps and it was the goat I grabbed to use first.  The CS I chose to use is 80# Neenah - "Desert Storm". Copics are my medium of choice - but I really wanted to use my Prismacolor Pencils with this image & CS combination.  The plaid on the suit is my addition, it is not part of the stamp.
I am essentially a beginner with Pencils - have so much to learn.  My dream would be to have the skills of this blogger, artist and my friend, Shani Thomas at Paperesse.  Someday, my friend, I will develop the smooth blending skills for which you are known!  Please keep giving me pointers!
The large size stamp, plus my design concept of elevated layers [creating the "white space" essential for a CAS style] made it necessary to make an envelope to fit.  Cut from a sheet of hoarded 12 x 12", there was enough left over to mat the white CS inside for my personal message.
Once completed, I immediately chose the recipient and occasion - and when mailed and received, I will be back to describe the circumstances.  It is a convoluted story that deserves another post!

Create wildly and color with abandon!  
                                                         ~ginny



CHALLENGES:

Through the Craft Room Door - ATG Always
Crafty Sentiments – ATG WINNER
Simon Says Wed – ATG
Penny's Challenge #395 – ATG
Creative Knockouts – L:8- #261 – Sentiment on Front of Card
Papercraft Challenge #19 – Animals
Crafty Creations - #373 – ATG Always
Pile it On #146 – Think Big

Accomplice...

613 Ave C's latest challenge is ATG / Optional twist of using Fall Colors. Chana and Kathi have arranged for SEVEN sponsors for this month's challenge and each is providing prizes.  The amazing 613 Team has provided some ideas for you to spark your mojo - and all the details you need to enter the challenge can be found at the link above for 613.  Come on- join the fun!
I am doing a card for two of the sponsors this month - this is the first for Alicia Bel and the 2nd will be a separate post for Creative Hand.  Scroll down to see that one.

PROCESS INVENTORY

IMAGES: 

• ALICIA BEL provided this image, "Anita and her Unicorn"  for my use for this challenge.
• The sentiment is a freebie from TLC Creations.

PAPER:  

• Neenah "Classic Crest Solar White" 80# Cover Wt. used for the image.
• Red base card CS and the blue CS used for the mat are both from stash.

EMBELLISHMENTS:

• Grosgrain ribbon, the ivory, waxed linen bookbinding thread and the buttons are all from stash.
• Wink of Stella used on the Unicorn's horn.

INKS:

• Images were printed on an Epson WF-3520 printer 
• Hand colored with Copics:
  

This card should be eligible for the following 

CHALLENGES:

Crafting From the Heart -#125 – ATG Always

Crafty Sentiments – Lots of Layers

Simon Says Wed – ATG

Penny's Challenge #293 – ATG

Paper Shelter – #262 – Make It Digital

Inspiration Destination #101 – ATG

As You Like It - #87  Your Favorite... Shape of Card & Why [A2 - plain rectangle - it is easy to mail & their is no extra postage]
Crafty Ribbons #165 – ATG w/ ribbon
Sisterhood of Crafters – Use Ribbon

Aud Sentiments #163 – ATG + Sent

Oddball Art - Use Blue

Art by MiRan Challenge #66 – ATG

Scrapper's Delight #59 – ATG Always

Create wildly and color with abandon!  ~ginny