Ingenious Inkling

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.

Caardvarks Sketchfest Day #2

Today is Day #2 of the seven-day Sketchfest at Caardvarks sponsored by Studio Calico. 

Remember, there will be prizes from Studio Calico for the daily sketches, and the Grand Prize of a spot on the Caardvarks Design Team for those who complete all seven.  You have until AM PST on Tuesday to complete this sketch and link up to Mr. Linky.

And a big woot woot to our own Vark Crewmember Heidi Van Laar for providing us with such great sketches.

I used a variety of elements that were included in the Studio Calico add-on kit provided to the Caardvarks Crew included their fun Ampersand stamp.  Can't wait to see what you create.

Are You Ready for Some Sketches??

Studio Calico / Caardvarks Sketchfest 2009 has finally arrived. 

There will be a new sketch (designed by our very own ultra-talented Heidi Van Laar) posted each day (for 7 days) at 12:01 am PST.  Your cards for that sketch must be completed and linked up to Mr. Linky by 7 am PST the next day to be eligible for fabulous prizes from Studio Calico.

To be eligible to win the BIG prize- a spot on the Caardvarks Design Team beginning November 1st - you must complete all 7 sketches.

The Caardvarks Crew all used the same kit from Studio Calico for our sketch designs (the acrylic stamps included with the kits did have some variation). 

It was so fun to see how a group of designers using the same products and same sketch could produce so many wonderful designs.

For this card I used fun sentiment tape, word stickers, a Maya Road Pinwheel blossom, and a fun little pin flag.  I used a leaf punch on some of the DP included with the kit, the ticket punch on the corners, and a hear punch on the tag.

Monday Monday

I intended to create tonight, but it just didn't happen ... a long work day ... getting home late ... working through my blog reader ... and getting ready for TWO blog hops this week (remember, Caardvarks GCD Designs Hop starts on Tuesday, September 15th ... my day for the hop is the 16th).

So instead, I will share a few more pictures from my sisters' weekend in Kansas City (miss you sis).  We were playing around with the wooden cut-outs at the Farmers Market.

 

 

And my favorite part of the zoo ... the slobbering hippos.

 

And check out Tammy's yummy Blog Candy.