Day 214 - Fine Feathered Friends

Birds seem to be everywhere - on stamps, stickers and patterned paper.  I certainly have lots of them among my scrappy things, so I thought that we should have a special challenge in honor of them.

But you know we can't just make it simple here at 365 Cards, because then it wouldn't be a challenge.

So here's what you need

At least THREE birds on your card. 

Add them any way you wish

Jennifer brought out an image she'd never used before, and I'm so glad she did, check it out

Such a wonderful card!

Dig around in your stash and see if you can come up with three birds.  They don't need to come from the same source as long as you have three of them...

Day 213 - Card on a Card

Here's a fun little challenge that shouldn't make ya sweat to much :-)

It's to make a card on another card.  Simple. Fun. Cute.

Let's see what Hannah came up with

Isn't that fabulous?  I don't what it is about a design like this, but I just love it.

Have you tried it before?  If not, now's your chance, and then link it up and share with us!

Day 212 - Colorful Background

Let's have some fun with the background of the cards for this challenge.

And here are the specifics

Stamp a background using at least 4 different colors

And Kim's card is colorful (and beautiful!) indeed

I love this and it makes me so excited about the upcoming Fall holidays!

You can use one stamp or several to create your background, but make sure you use at least 4 different colors...

Day 211 - Triple It

We have a winner from last week's TradeFish Designs sponsorship....

Congrats to Lawren!!!

You've won a $20 Gift Certificate

Contact me HERE to claim your prize.

And here are the Spotlight Designers

Nice work from all of you!!

And here are the Weekly Challenge All-Stars who managed to complete each and every challenge from last week

Cyndi

Mrs. Miles

Christy D.

Mark A.

You all rock!!

Today's challenge is titled Triple It, because you need to use 3 methods to create your sentiment

Here's how Audrey did it

Her methods:

She used a sticker

Added ink to the edges

and blinged up brackets

I intentionally kept this challenge from being too specific so you have lots of freedom to satisfy the requirements of the challenge...

Day 210 - Card Recipe

We've got a Card Recipe challenge for you today, and here is the list of ingredients

Any size of card

2 patterned papers

2 circles

Ribbon

Stamped Sentiment

Stickpin, safety pin, or something similar

Here is Annie's "finished product"

So pretty, and I love the way Annie has layered the different elements!

You know how this goes, follow the recipe above and see what you come up with...

Day 209 - Super Sketchy Sunday

It's Sunday and we've got another sketch, so let's get started!

And some fabulous DT examples

Wendi

Erin

Rose

Manoli

And there you have it, the start of another "challenging" week....



Day 208 - Funny, Masculine Style

It's time for some laughs!

Let's see some "funny" cards, with the masculine style again.

And here's a great example from Annie

And a peek at the sentiment inside

A great finish to a great week of cards from the Design Team and some wonderful stamps from our sponsor.

You'll have until Monday night to link up your cards for up to 7 chances to win that prize from TradeFish Designs, so keep on scrappin'....

Day 207 - Sweet Treats Masculine Style

What's not to like about a sweet treat?  Let's see something on your card that fits that theme, along with a masculine style of course...

Here's Jennifer's example

Great use of that TradeFish ice cream cone stamp!

And this is definitely masculine enough - great patterns.

Just one more day of this fun week left...

Day 206 - Love, Masculine Style

Now this one should definitely be challenge.  The theme is LOVE, but you've got to keep it masculine and that can be easier said than done.

Hannah kept it simple, and I think the sentiment says it all

Beautifully done, Hannah.

I'm looking forward to the inspiration that comes from this challenge -- I'm thinking that I'll get some great ideas from all of you fabulous and creative card makers out there!

Day 205 - Summer Vacation Masculine Style

Summer may be over around here, and school may have started back up, but that doesn't mean that we can't hold onto it a little bit longer.

So let's celebrate Summer Vacation masculine style.

And we'll kick off the celebration with Kim's card

Ahhhh, now I'm dreaming of a sandy beach and blue skies.  And those stamps from TradeFish Designs are perfect on this card!

The cool thing about creating a card with a man in mind, is that it's definitely not too cutesy, but the design works for anybody.  I know I've struggled trying to design cards for the men/boys in my life because I keep thinking that I'm really limited.  Thanks to companies like TradeFish, I'm realizing that it's not the case, and the cards from the DT this week are also proof of that!

So if you struggle with this like I do, then keep coming back this week for some great inspiration...

Day 204 - Outer Space Masculine Style

Here's your group of Spotlight Designers from last week's challenges

So much talent and creativity!!

And here are the Weekly Challenge All-Stars

Cyndi
Jenny Jean
Mark Angel
Rianne
Christy Dillman

Nicely Done!!

And now on to today's challenge...

Okay, so I think we've got the whole masculine thing down, so all we need is a theme to go with it, and today it's

Outer Space.

Let's check out what Audrey came up with

That deep blue background sets off the rocket ship and planets beautifully!  This card is perfect for the challenge :-)

What comes to mind when you think of outer space?

Day 203 - Back-to-School Maculine Style

Today DoBea is jumping in with her take on the challenge.

The theme is Back-to-School, and as I mentioned yesterday, it needs to be suitable for boys/men.

She's using some "school themed" stamps from TradeFish Designs

What a sweet card, and any boy would love to get this as he heads back to school for another year!

Now it's your turn to head back-to-school with your card...



Day 202 - Super Sketchy Sunday

We have a sketch and a brand new fabulous sponsor this week!

So let's get started with the sketch and the DT examples

Erin

Manoli



Rose

Sophia

Wendi

Wonderful cards, and they all feature stamps from this week's sponsor, TradeFish Designs...

TradeFish is a stamp company focusing on clear polymer stamps that can be used for cards, layouts or any craft project for the men in your life (men & boys of all ages). My designs can be used for anyone but I try to make sure that I provide an outlet for any crafter looking for stamps they can use on their crafts for their husbands, sons and grandsons.

and there's a great prize up for grabs!

One lucky winner will receive a $20 Gift Certificate to the store.

Click on the link above to check out their site, and I promise that you won't be disappointed.

All week long, we'll feature TradeFish stamps on our cards, all with a masculine vibe.  So stick around and play along because it's going to be a great week...

Day 201 - 1+1 = 1 Beautiful Card

Since handmade cards are so personal, and often made for those who are closest to us, it makes sense that we would have a challenge inspired by them.

So here's what you need to do

Pick two of your dearest friends and choose something about them to contribute to your card.  It can be anything you want that makes you think of them.

DoBea chose her friend Angelica's favorite color combo and she made the flower because her friend Jodi likes to garden, check out her card

Such a beautiful card, and the sentiment really says it all!

You know you have special people in your life, and now you can make a card with 2 of them in mind...

Day 200 - The Utility Drawer

Do you have one of these in the house?  I sure it, and it gets messy fast because it collects every little thing that I don't have a place for.

Well, who would have thought that it would also become the source of card decor?  It is for this challenge!

So here's what you do....

Head to that utility drawer, or your equivalent, and pluck something out of there for your card.

Jennifer used a bottle cap on her card

Lovely!

And she managed to get around the rule by using a bottle opener to nab that cap - very clever....

So what sorts of things do you have in your utility drawer?  Let's see it on your cards...

Day 199 - A Year to Remember

Have you found that there are years - entire years - that really stand out in your mind?  I know I have, and those years contain the most vivid memories I have.  Since handmade cards tend to be personal, this seemed like an appropriate challenge.

Here are the specifics:

Pick a highly memorable year in your life, and use that to inspire your card.

Hannah didn't have to go back too far in time.  She tells me that 2010 was a special year full of memories, particularly a summer spent bonding with friends.  This shows in her card

Beautiful.

And Hannah said this was indeed a challenge, but I think you're up for it, so let's see what y'all come up with...

Day 198 - Standout Sentiment

It's time for the sentiment to really shine on your card.

Here's the challenge:

Make your sentiment stand out - whether it's large or small, make it the focal point of the card.

Here's Kim's card

Ah yes - love it!

And that background paper sets off the sentiment perfectly.

So don't feel like you have to make it big, just as long as your sentiment really stands out on the card.

Day 197 - Beautiful Beads

Hey there 365ers - I've had some technical difficulties, so I'm behind schedule.  However, where I live it's still Tuesday, so here we go...

I've got a very talented group of Spotlight Designers to share with you from last weeks challenges

And here are your Weekly Challenge All-Stars

Christy Dillman

Mrs. Miles

Cheryl

Rianne

Mark Angel

Today's challenge is to use BEADS on your card - any kind of bead will do.

 

Here's Audrey's example

Adorable!

And here's a close-up of the beads on her card

 

They make a beautiful addition to the card.

Any type of bead will do as long as you add at least one to your card.

Day 196 - Divide and Conquer

Today's challenge is all about seeing your card in "parts" - 5 parts to be exact.  They do not have to be equal parts, and try to keep them from overlapping.

Let's see what Annie did with this one

Gorgeous mix of papers on this one, combined with a beautiful image!

How you divide your card is up to you, as long as it is complete with five parts.

Day 195 - Super Sketchy Sunday

10 years ago today, the world was forever changed by terrorists.  Although life has gone on without the loved ones that were lost, they will not be forgotten.  We just want to take a moment here at 365 Cards to pay tribute to those who lost their lives, the families that were left behind, and all those individuals who fight to keep us safe everyday.

And here's your sketch for today

And thank you to our wonderful Sunday Sketch Designers for these beautiful interpretations

Erin

Wendi

Manoli

Rose

Sophia

See you back here tomorrow for another week of challenges...

Day 194 - Personal Playlist

You know you have one - maybe it's classical you like, or even classic rock.  I have a mix on my playlist, but there's always a favorite (if only for a short while) at the top of it.

So this one is all about what you like, and specifically which song is at the top of your playlist.

DoBea chose a great song (in my opinion, anyway) called Lighters, by Bad vs. Evil (feat. Bruno Mars)

and here's her card

Wow - this is amazing!!  Love those colors and that sentiment!

So you get to pick a top song on your personal playlist and let it inspire your card...

Day 193 - Geography

Me, I love Vegas, but then I'm also a huge fan of the Hawaiian Islands - what's your favorite vacation destination?

That's what should inspire your card.

It's not hard to figure out where Jennifer likes to go on vacation

Hmmmm - I'm thinking somewhere tropical with a cocktail in hand.  Now the question is, exactly which seaside retreat is she dreaming of?

Actually, the better question is, which vacation spot do you dream of?  Let that be the inspiration for your card...

Day 192 - Color Scheme

Okay color scheme fans, we've got a Color Scheme challenge for you today

And Hannah has a beautiful example for you

Wow, this layout is so simple in design and yet stunning in its execution - I'm tucking this one away for scraplifting purposes ;-)

So you now how this goes - use the above color scheme to inspire your cards and then link them up here...

Day 191 - So Not Me

Clean and Simple, Vintage, Shabby Chic, Bold Graphics, Cutesy....Whatever your style, now I want you to do anything but that style.

Kim says she would classify a vintage collage style card as "so not her", and here is an example of that

I think it's absolutely beautiful!

Sometimes it's not so easy to define your style, but it is often easy to say what is not your style.  And now you can use that as the basis for your card...

Day 190 - Card Recipe

Let's kick off the day with our Spotlight Designers, shall we?

And here they are

Nice work!!

And here are the Weekly Challenge All-Stars

Rianne

Mark Angel

Notes by Nina

Mrs. Miles

Way to go keeping up with all the challenges!!

I'm up with my last Tuesday challenge, because I'm happy to report that Audrey will be back and bringing you her fabulous creations again next week!

So we've got a Card Recipe for you, and here are the ingredients

4.25" x 5.5" Card

One Additional Piece of Cardstock (any size)

4 Stickers

4 Buttons

Sentiment

And here's my example

I've got 4 cardstock stickers, and I glued the buttons to the flowers.  I chose a piece of swiss dot cardstock to make up part of the background in addition to the Kraft card base.  And I've stamped a little sentiment in the corner.  I think that's everything - so now let's see what you come up with...