Ingenious Inkling

Make Mine a Tall One

This is my last challenge as a member of the Caardvarks Crew ... and it was a fun one.  The challenge is an easy one ... make a tall card.  The challenge is sponsored by Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker, and she's got lots of great prizes for the winner including a salloped chipboard album, acrylic font stamps, and lots of fabulous papers.  All you have to do is link up a *new* tall card by October 31st for a chance to win.

After receiving my fabulous birthday gift wrapped in a NY Subway map, I decided to see if I could incorporate the wrapping paper into my card design.  It turned out I had an entire stash of maps, so I decided to make a map collage.

After looking at all of the fun ruffled items on The Moxie Fab blog, I had ruffles on my mind, so I decided to add a ruffled ribbon path to follow through the mapped landscape.  I used extra-strong two sided tape and then started at the bottom folding over my ribbon into ruffles as I moved up the card.

I finished by sponging with Ranger Distress ink to help unify the background and sentiments from Stampers Anonymous (What you Seek and Just Thoughts).  I also added a tiny compass from Artistic Outpost's Geek is Chic set.
 

Chocolat Butterflies

I received a marvelous little birthday package from Stamp Muse that included this delicious Cherie glitter paper from SEI's Chocolat collection.   When I saw this week's Sketch 37 at Card Patterns, an idea was born.  I love how the paper is two sided, so I was able to feature both beautiful designs together.

I used a new (to me) Martha Stewart butterfly punch to create a few more embellishments from the scraps.  This sentiment from Hero Arts is one of my favorites.  I used an oval punch on the end of the sentiment flag.

Also, the October 20th challenge will be my last as a member of the amazing Caardvarks Design Crew ... I am sad that this part of my design life is ending, but excited about pursuing other opportunities.  You can check out the 'Varks Crew Fond Farewell here.

Make your own happiness this week.
 

Knotted Silk Elegance

I loved the May Arts Silk Ribbon so much, that I went ahead and used up the sheet of Core'dinations Whitewash Cardstockand made a few more.  The card base is the reverse side of the cardstock. This time I knotted the ribbon ... and I love the effect. 

For this card, I embossed the cardstock, sanded it, added a rub-on and three pieces of knotted ribbon.

The next on uses the same technique, but a different embossing folder and only one strand of knotted ribbon.  So quick, easy ... and yet elegant.

 
 You can check out an entire gallery of Caardvarks / May Arts projectsby the Varks Crew.  Also, remember, to have a chance to win a big stash of May Arts ribbon, have your *new* card featuring ribbon uploaded by October 17th.
 
 

Big Ribbon Bow

The other ribbon I chose for May Arts sponsored Caardvarks Challenge to make a *new* card that uses ribbon in a wonderful way was this gorgeous wide coral silk ribbon.  I've never used silk ribbon before, and the texture is amazing.  I decided to go with a simple background and let the ribbon be the focal point of the design.

I stamped the Hero Arts Flourish Pine background stamp in Coral on Core'dinations Whitewash Cardstock and clear embossed.  Even though the paper is textured, stamping on a piece of foam and giving good solid pressure worked with this overall design.  Then I sanded over the embossed image to bring out the coral core of the paper.  I finished with a rub-on sentiment and a big wonderful bow.
 

Take a Bow ... or in my case a Knot

The sponsor for the October 5th Challenge at Caardvarks are the wonderful folks from May Arts Ribbon.  They let the Varks Crew choose two different ribbons for our DT cards, and let me tell you it took me hours to decide.  Their ribbon is amazing, and I wish I had some of every single one.  You can check out the retail store locator to find a seller in your area.  They also have a blog with contests and giveaways.

The "Take a Bow" Challenge is to make a card showcasing ribbon.  The prize will be a fabulous stash of May Arts Ribbon.  Rather than tie a bow with this delicious chocolate faux suede ribbon, I tied it in knots like little bow ties.  I wanted to show that ribbon can be the focal point for masculine designs too.

I attached a strip of ribbon to the Marrakech Striped DP, and then added the ribbon knots with glue dots.  I finished with a tiny sentiment from Hero Arts Anytime Messages punched with a 7/8 square and nestled between the knots.  I think this picture gives you a little better idea of the wonderful texture of this ribbon.

I can't wait to see what you create. 

Link Love

Here are a few of my favorite links from blog reading this week:

• I used to love embroidering with my grandma ... now I've been thinking more about stitching on paper.  The Hand Embroidery Network is a great resource for learning new stitches.
• Yummy taco soup that sounds perfect for the cooler weather.
• Adorable Sesame Street Lollipop covers
• Great ideas for organizing magazines
• A great pattern for making those magazines and junk mail into fun gift bags.
• This singing reindeer card cracks me up
• Amazing flower embellishments made from recycled leather purses

And make sure you take some time to check ou the Caardvarks Blog on Saturday. 

Every hour on the hour we'll be featuring designs by some of our favorite creative souls.  I assure you, there will be inspiration overload.

And don't forget the next Caardvarks challenge will post on October 5th.

Final SketchFest Sketch

It's hard to believe the Caardvarks SketchFest has come to an end.  Thanks so much to all of you who have joined the fun ... it's been a blast.  I've discovered lots of new blogs and seen tons of inspiration.

Today's sketch has lots of fun layers.  I was able to incorporate lots of fun elements from the Studio Calico kit into my design, including that great shaped paper.  This card makes me want to go on vacation.

Can't wait to see what you create.

Friday SkechFest Fun

I can't believe it's Friday already ... having a sketch a day this week has really made the time fly by. 

Heidi has another great sketch for us today ... I love repeating squares.

I cut letters from designer paper for the squares and then added a foam thickers '2' to finish the sentiment.  I used a tag and calendar dates to make a one-of-a-kind birthday card for my fabulous sister-in-law Mia.  I love the cool travel themed background paper that was included in our Studio Calico kit.

Thursday Sketch Fun

The SketchFest at Caardvarks has been a blast so far ... and today's sketch by the amazing Heidi Van Laar is another fabulous one.   I really love the combination of round and square elements.

To incorporate the cool shape of the designer paper, I extended my sketch to a 4" x 8" design.  I used more of those tiny word stickers at the top and fun foam thickers for the bottom element.  I combined them with a punched heart to finish the design.

Can't wait to see what you create. 

Caardvarks / Studio Calico SketchFest Day #3

We have arrived at Day #3 of the fabulous Studio Calico / Caardvarks Sketchfest.   I've been having so much fun checking out all of the different sketch entries ... so much inspiration to be found.

I think this is one of my favorite sketch cards of the bunch ... such a unique sketch by the ultra-talented Heidi Van Laar ... it's soperfect for featuring circle elements.  The circle tag on my card was included in the great Studio Calico kit that Varks Crew received.  The sentiment at the bottom was cut from another tag.

I also loved the fabulous Maya Road pinwheel flowers (they are sort of a leathery vinyl with great texture).

I created my own background paper by stamping the Studio Calico Digits stamp repeatedly in a tone-on-tone ink color.  It was such a fun effect and a great way to work with small acrylic stamps.

I can't wait to see what you create.