So by now, you’d realise that I play along with a lot of challenges – why? – well I’m super busy with work and all the activities that my daughter is involved in so when I find that small bit of time to get crafty I often find myself just sitting there lacking inspiration.
So I go to my list of challenges for inspiration, many times I combine 2 or 3 as the thinking in done for me. They might be a sketch, colour scheme or a theme – so I then just grab the relevant items and I’m off. It’s a great way to create when you may only have 30 minutes free and lack ideas.
So here’s what I’ve been doing today:
I’m on my 3rd month of playing with the Gerda Steiner image challenges and this month we get to use her Balancing on ornament mouse digital image. He is adorable and I had so much fun colouring him in with my Stampin Up Blends.
I also used a sketch from Freshly Made Sketches #311 to help me with my layout design.
Ingredients:
- Digital Image – Gerda Steiner ‘Balancing on ornament mouse’
- Markers – Stampin Up Blends – Cherry Cobbler, Smokey Slate & Old Olive
- Cardstock – Stampin Up – Whisper White & Cherry Cobbler, Stampin Up DSP Merry Musically
- Misc – White puffy paint, gold embossing powder & gold thread
Up next is a card for a challenge for the Watercooler Wednesday Challenges #143. The challenge was an anything goes feminine card. I was asked to make a fun card for a little girl and I’ve been wanting to try out a blackboard style card and I think it fits in nicely with this challenge.
I made the actual blackboard by cutting and gluing the frame around some plain black cardstock. I used twine to tie it all together like a real blackboard.
Ingredients:
- Cardstock – Stampin Up Crumb cake, Basic black & Whisper white
- Stamps – Stampin Up Woodgrain (on the frame), Wacky Wishes (sentiment – retired) & Pretty Petites (banner – retired)
- Punch – Stampin Up Petite Curly Label (retired)
- Inks – Stampin Up Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry & Craft white
- Misc – Twine
Thanks for looking and have a great day.
Tinstar Designs 
I agree that challenges are a good way to get started when you don’ have much time to craft. Your cards are gorgeous Tristan. I especially like your little balckboard
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Dawn, I like making cards that don’t look,like cards.
LikeLike
Challenges are such an excellent way of coming up with ideas when you’re strapped for ideas and time. I love how you’ve met these challenges, especially the Watercooler Feminine challenge with your cute little blackboard design card. The banner on the top of the board is delightful. Nicely done. Thanks so much for joining our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge this week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a sweet card! Love the music paper and that sweet little mouse! That chalkboard easel is fabulous! Thanks for joining us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tristan, I totally agree about challenges being a great “jumping off point”. And especially for someone with only bits of time here and there, like yourself, they give you a chance to create when your mind is dozens of other things. I love that blackboard style card! What a great way to have fun making something totally different. I’m sure the little girl who received it thought it was absolutely super. Those ribbons and banners across the top are great and add so much fun and colour to the card. Beautifully done. Thanks so much for joining our Watercooler Wednesday Challenge this week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well this little guy makes me smile! A cute way to use the sketch. Thanks for joining us at Freshly Made Sketches this week!
LikeLike
Love the blackboard and festive banner. Challenges really are a great way to get inspired. Thanks for joining us at Watercooler Wednesday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This little mouse is just such fun! What a great card. So glad you joined us this week at FMS!
LikeLiked by 1 person