Happy Birthday, Susanna!

Today, October 22nd, we are celebrating Susanna's Boyd's birthday with a week-long challenge event that every Paper Craft Planet member can participate in!

The Super Novas got together and each made a special birthday gift for Susanna's birthday. In honor of this momentous occasion, we invite everyone to post a birthday project or card for a chance to win some fabulous prizes! Yes, there are several chances to win some awesome paper crafting goodies just by posting a birthday themed project!

Further details can be found by clicking on The Planet Blog. Check out where the party is and join us for a week of celebrations!

And, here’s my contribution to the party. I made a little gift set using Adela’s new Bottle of Cheer template and images from the Vintage Wine stamp set from Our Craft Lounge. I cut the template base from deep purple cardstock and added some fun accents like a gold “foil” wrap around the neck of the bottle and a little cork top. It's hidden in the photo, but there's a clear tube filled with some sweet treats inside the bottle. To tie the pieces together, the card uses coordinating colors and the same patterned paper. I added some cream crepe ribbon and a little ruffled trim for a feminine touch.

We hope you'll join us at the party! Can't wait to see what you bring along!

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Our Craft Lounge Vintage Wine stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers(YG93, YG95, YG97, BV01, BV11, BV13, BV23, E33, R39, Y23, Y26, BG0000)Lily Bee Design Harvest Market 6x6 paper pad, Spellbinders petite oval dies, Creative Impressions cream crepe ribbon and cork sheet, Maya Road cream ruffle edge trim, Bow Easy, ScorPal, SRM clear plastic mini tube with lid

other:
Bottle of Cheer template (Creations by AR); Elegant Eggplant and Old Olive cardstock (Stampin' Up!); gold paper (Target)

Challenges by AR-Holiday Fun

With the holidays fast approaching, everyone’s mind is turning to gifts and festive home decor. So, our theme for the latest challenge at Challenges by AR is to create a 3D project with a holiday theme.

I used Adela’s Golden Nugget Box template to make this pretty little seasonal package. The template is cut from light blue cardstock. I made the belly band from turquoise cardstock and covered it with a coordinating snowflake patterned paper.

The box is decorated with some turquoise satin ribbon and a pretty felt snowflake that I cut using a CutUps die from The Cat’s Pajamas. For a little sparkle, I attached blue crystals to the snowflake. It’s set on the box with a button at its center. I stamped the “merry wishes” sentiment from the TCP Merry Wishes set on a turquoise oval in turquoise ink and attached that to the box.

To join the challenge, all you need to do is create a shaped card or 3-d item with a holiday theme and link it to the challenge post on the Challenges by AR blog. One lucky participant will receive a template of their choice from Creations by AR.

Materials Used:
Golden Nugget box template (Creations by AR); Merry Wishes stamp set, CutUps Snowflake and Circus Panels dies, aqua Divine Twine, blue felt (The Cat’s Pajamas); Tempting Turquoise Classic ink, Bashful Blue and Tempting Turquoise cardstock (Stampin’ Up!); designer paper (Heidi Grace Designs); turquoise satin ribbon, white button (Michaels); ScorTape

Happy and Perfectly Packaged

I got a lot accomplished during yesterday's World Card Making Day! I'll have a bunch of stuff to share over the course of the week. This morning, I have a few projects featuring images from My Favorite Things.

First up is my card for this week's MFT Wednesday Stamp Club sketch challenge. I went more scrappy than stampy on this one.

I started with a cloud patterned paper panel and worked from there. A strip of green grass, punched with a border punch since somehow my MFT grass die slipped away from me between my table and die cutting machine and hasn't been seen since . . . I wrapped some green baker's twine around the grass and tied it off in a bow to dress it up a bit.

For the sketch's slanted panel, I used a pair of layered butterfly die cuts. The base is a dotted pattern and the top layer is a piece of vellum. I added a trio of pearls to the center to make a pretty body.It's attached to the card with foam tape. The "think happy thoughts" sentiment from the Happy Thoughts set is stamped in turquoise on a yellow strip and attached to the panel with the end hidden underneath the butterfly. After layering a dot embossed turquoise panel across a yellow card base, I attached the completed image panel.

Materials Used:
Happy Thoughts stamp set, Die-Namics butterfly die (My Favorite Things); Tempting Turquoise Classic ink, Daffodil Delight, Kiwi Kiss, and Tempting Turquoise cardstock (Stampin' Up!); white vellum (The Paper Company); Lime Twist-Fly a Kite "Genuine" Sky designer paper, Stella & Rose-Gertie 6x6 paper pad (My Mind's Eye); Polka Dot embossing folder (Cuttlebug); grass border punch (Martha Stewart); baker's twine (Timeless Twine); pearls (Recollections); foam tape

This little ensemble is for this month's MFT guest designer contest to create a Perfect Package. I went with a teacher thank you theme, combining a Pure Innocence image with a versatile three pocket caddy template from Creations by AR.

I printed the template on pieces of red and navy cardstock, cut it out, and assembled it with the help of my ScorPal and some ScorTape. The panels are covered with pieces of coordinating designer paper. I went with one plaid pattern--something about that just says "school" to me--and one large dotted one.

A piece of red grosgrain ribbon, embellished with a red wood button, is wrapped around the outside of the caddy. To coordinate with the school theme, I attached a dimensional ruler sticker to the front of the caddy. I stamped and colored the little girl image from the Book in Hand set, then cut her out so I could put her on the front of the box with some foam tape.

Once all the elements were in place, I filled the box with a bunch of school supplies. It's hard to see in the photo, but this small caddy holds a bunch of pencils and pens, a pair of scissors, a bottle of school glue, a highlighter, a roll of transparent tape, and the all-important hand sanitizer. As a teacher, I can tell you that all of these things need "refreshing" during the course of the school year and any teacher would be thrilled to get this little kit.

I placed the filled caddy inside a tall plastic bag and tied it closed with some red grosgrain ribbon. I attached a tag made with the same papers as I used on the caddy. I stamped the manuscript lines and "thank you" sentiment from the Teacher's Pet on a circle and set the panel on the tag. A wood button, just like the one on the caddy, is added as an embellishment.

Materials Used:
Book in Hand and Who's that Girl-Teacher's Pet stamp sets (My Favorite Things); 3-Pocket Caddy Template (Creations by AR); Memento Tuxedo Black and Rhubarb Stalk inks (Tsukineko); markers (Copic); Riding Hood Red and Night of Navy cardstock (Stampin' Up!); designer papers (Girls Paperie); Tag Sale #1 die (Papertrey Ink); circle punches (EK Success); ruler sticker (Me & My Big Ideas); red baker's twine (Divine Twine); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); red buttons (Simplicity); Scor Pal and ScorTape; foam tape

Challenges by AR-Fall Fun

It’s time for the latest challenge from Challenges by AR. Lisa’s our hostess this time and we’re being generously sponsored by MyGrafico.


Our theme this go-round is fall and Halloween projects using Adela's templates. I used elements from MyGrafico’s Spooktacular and Falling for Autumn Elements collections to decorate Adela’s cupcake basket template.

I printed the basket template on a pretty deep red cardstock, then cut the basket out and used my ScorPal and ScorTape to assemble it. I printed the orange plaid paper from the Spooktacular collection on matte photo paper and cut panels of the paper to dress up the sides of the basket. A piece of red grosgrain ribbon, embellished with a wooden button tied with a little baker's twine, is wrapped around the basket.

To match the challenge's fall theme, instead of putting a cupcake inside of the basket, I replaced it with a seasonally appropriate nut-covered caramel apple (yum!) wrapped up in a clear plastic bag. With a few modifications, the apple was a perfect fit for the basket. I made holes in the tops of the handles to accommodate the stick in the apple, then set it in the basket.

I made a coordinating tag to attach to the apple using a strip of the same patterned paper as I did on the basket, plus a leaf element from the Falling for Autumn Elements collection. A fun apple-themed sentiment stamped on the tag finished things off.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the talented Challenges by AR team has cooked up for you. And, you can play along, too. Just create a shaped card or 3d item with a fall or Halloween theme and link it to the post on the Challenges by AR blog and one challenge participant will win a free set of their choice from MYGRAFICO.

Materials Used:
cupcake basket template (Creations by AR); Falling for You stamp set (Paper Smooches); Memento Rich Cocoa ink (Tsukineko); Lipstick Red cardstock (Gina K Designs); Spooktacular and Falling for Autumn Elements Collections (MyGrafico); Crumb Cake cardstock (Stampin' Up!); red grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); orange baker's twine (Divine Twine); wooden button (Simplicity); ScorPal, Scor Tape; foam tape

Halloweenie Treat

Let's start the week out on a sweet note! Here's a fun little Halloween treat ensemble, with little being the operative word. The set includes a 3 1/2" square card--for this week's CAS-ual Friday challenge to make a mini card and this week's Crazy 4 Challenges challenge (sponsored by Creations by AR--be sure to check out the current Challenges by AR challenge, too--I'm the hostess!) to include a pumpkin on your design--and a tiny treat tube filled with fall colored M&M's.

The mini card uses the pumpkin image from the Paper Smooches Halloweenies set. It's colored with Copic markers and cut out. The pumpkin's big eyes are coated with Glossy Accents for a glass-like shine. I based the layout on this week's Clean and Simple Stamping sketch, adjusted a little bit for the smaller scale of the mini card. A strip of trendy orange houndstooth patterned paper runs across the kraft card base. I added a solid black strip at the bottom and wrapped it with black baker's twine for contrast before adhering the orange panel holding the image and sentiment.

To tie the set together, I used the same papers and accents for the test tube holder. The PDF file for the holder is available here at Creations by AR and easily assembled with the help of my ScorPal and some ScorTape. The base is cut from kraft cardstock and dressed up with the orange houndstooth paper. I wrapped a band of orange and black cardstock around the bottom of the tube holder and accented it with a black button. The tube itself is decorated with a small tag with more of the houndstooth paper and stamped with a few small images from the Halloweenies set. Too sweet! Now I need to go move the set out of the reach of Chloe the cutie--and curious--puppy. She's been eyeing and sniffing at those M&M's . . .

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches Halloweenies stamp set, X-Press white Copic blending cardstock, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (YR15, YR16, Y35, Y38, YG01, YG13, YG17, YG25, B000, B0000), My Mind's Eye Lime Twist-Fly a Kite 6x6 paper pad, Ranger Glossy Accents, Divine Twine Black Licorice baker's twine, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots, ScorPal, ScorTape

other: test tube template (Creations by AR); Crumb Cake and Basic Black cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Sweet Mango cardstock (Gina K Designs); treat tube (Martha Stewart)

Fore U on Your Birthday

Vicki is our hostess for the latest round of Challenges by AR. She’s asked us to create a project for a masculine birthday. I transformed Adela’s Easter Basket template into a stylish carrier for some golf balls.

The template was printed on kraft cardstock. I made the panels for the side from an argyle patterned paper. The paper has kind of a distressed look and a nice texture, too, which make for a great accent for a masculine project. The insert that holds the golf balls is cut from a coordinating piece of gold cardstock. I did have to alter the size of the holes I made to fit the golf balls rather than the suggested Easter eggs, so keep that in mind if you try to do something similar. The handle is also made from kraft cardstock. I added a strip of dark brown grosgrain ribbon to it for contrast before using copper brads to secure it to the basket.

To personalize the gift, I made a matching tag using the same kraft/patterned paper combo as I used for the basket. To get the exact sentiment I wanted, I paired bits and pieces of sentiments from two different Clear and Simple Stamps sets—Golf Gent and Birthday Darling. A real wood golf tee was the perfect embellishment! I used some twine, secured with a button, to attach the tag to the basket’s handle.

We hope you’ll join us and share your 3d projects or shaped cards with a masculine birthday theme with us by linking them up on the Challenges by AR blog. One participant will be selected to win a template from Adela’s store. For a little inspiration to get you started, be sure to check out what the rest of the talented Challenges by AR team has created for this challenge. Here’s where to find them:

Vicki Garrett
Maria Levine
Magdalena Cortez
Lyn Bernatovich
Lori Tecler (you're here!)
Lisa Somerville
Lisa Eisner

Materials Used:
Golf Gent and Birthday Darling stamp sets, Dish All the Dirt Brown ink, Kraft Like a Rockstar and Golden Tiara cardstock, Dish All the Dirt Brown button, Simple Adhesive (Clear and Simple Stamps); Stella & Rose-Hattie "Buddies" Argyle designer paper (My Mind’s Eye); circle punch (EK Success); Tag Sale #2 die, twine (Papertrey Ink); brown grosgrain ribbon (Michaels); copper brads (Making Memories)

Summer Bliss with A Slice of Orange

This week's Challenges by AR theme is "Summer Bliss with a Slice of Orange," courtesy of Lyn. Well, nothing says summer to me more than a nice, cool drink, so I created this fun set using Adela's Tray Chic template and a dressed-up plastic margarita glass I picked up on clearance at the end of the season.

The tray's base is cut from a piece of poppy red paper. The inside and sides are covered with a plaid patterned paper with stripes in a coordinating red, orange, and green--super festive! I used green baker's twine to secure the sides of the tray.

The glass is decorated with similar elements. I used the same striped paper on an orange tag base and added the adorable penguin with drink in hand from the Salud set from The Cat's Pajamas. The "margaritas" sentiment is stamped on a green sentiment flag and attached to the tag underneath the penguin and embellished with a button tied with twine. I used the same twine to attach the tag to the glass to tie the pieces of the ensemble together.

For full details on how to play along with the challenge, check out the Challenges by AR blog. And, for ideas and inspiration to get you started, check out the challenge team's creations. Here's where you can find them:
Vicki Garrett
Maria Levine
Magdalena Cortez
Lyn Bernatovich
Lori Tecler (you're here!)
Lisa Somerville
Lisa Eisner

Materials Used:
Tray Chic template (Creations by AR); Salud stamp set, Neenah white cardstock, Versafine Onyx Black ink, CutUps Inside Pinking Border die, Divine Twine green baker's twine (The Cat's Pajamas); markers (Copic); Fresh Mango cardstock (Gina K Designs); Poppy Parade and Pear Parfait cardstock (Stampin' Up!); Bloom and Grow designer paper (My Mind's Eye); tag die (Sizzix); green button (Michaels); foam tape

Go Wild with Challenges by AR

Welcome to the first Challenges by AR challenge! Each month a very talented group of ladies will provide you with a fun challenge theme and lots of inspiration, all using templates available at Creations by AR.

In honor of our first challenge, we're having a week-long celebration with two ways to win. One winner will be chosen from the comments each day for the next seven days (check the challenge blog for the winner's name). The daily winner will receive a brand new, yet to be released template from Creations by AR (includes PDF and SVG/DXF files). And, anyone who plays along with the first challenge will receive a certificate for $1.00 towards a purchase at Creations by AR. One challenge participant will receive two templates of their choice from Creations by AR. The first challenge will be open from July 7 at midnight PST through July 14 at midnight PST.

Here's my project for this month's Wild Prints themed challenge. I fell in love with Adela's new Elegant Sole template and had to try it out with an animal print. The shoe's front is made from the print pattern and the rest is made from coordinating solid cardstock. Once the shoe was put together, I dressed it up with some sparkly jewels. A strip of small brown crystals runs along the edge of the shoe with a big clear crystal at the center. I'd love a fabulous, stylish shoe like this one!

I made a simple coordinating card to go along with the shoe using images from the Just My Style set from Clear and Simple Stamps. The set's shoe image was a perfect match for my pretty shoe. The card uses the same patterned paper and solid cardstock with some elegant cream satin ribbon as an accent.

Here are all of the creative Challenges by AR team members who will be sharing projects today. Be sure to stop by and check them out.
Vicki Garrett
Maria Levine
Magdalena Cortez
Lyn Bernatovich
Lori Tecler (you're here!)
Lisa Somerville
Lisa Eisner
Adela Rossol

Materials Used:
Elegant Sole template (Creations by AR); Just My Style stamp set, Perfect Little Black Dress ink, Dish All the Dirt Brown, Kraft Like a Rockstar Tan, Kraft Like a Rockstar Cream, A Blanc Check cardstock, Copic markers, On the Catwalk Cream satin ribbon, Simple Adhesive (Clear and Simple Stamps); Natural Animal designer paper, brown crystal lines (Recollections);circle punches (EK Success); large clear crystal (Mark Richards)