The winner of this week's Blog Bon-Bons was #46... Angel! Angel's post read:
"GREAT desk calendar. I hope I win! My new year's craft resloution is to make some great stuff and learn some new techniques along the way!"
Congratulations, Angel -- I'll email you for your address and get your goodies on their way.
You know, before I discovered SCS and stamping, I was a scrapbooker. My photos, rub-ons, and stickers have gotten pretty dusty over the last year and a half, however. But then the MFT Design Team was invited to host this week's SCS Scrapbook Diva Designer Challenge, so I got out the Pledge and got to work. This is the challenge I came up with:
"Howdy from Oklahoma, Scrapbookers! I discovered scrapbooking shortly after the birth of my oldest son, who is now eleven. I’ve gone through spurts and sputters in my scrapbooking over the years, and I’ve all but abandoned it since stumbling onto SCS a little over a year ago. That's a pretty familiar tune, isn't it? I think part of the reason I find card making so satisfying is that a 4.25” x 5.5” piece of paper is a lot less intimidating than an 8.5” x 11” or 12” x 12” piece of paper to fill. Additionally, with stamping/card-making, there isn’t the pressure to get “caught up” – once you finish the card, you’re done with it!
However, my family, and especially my husband, would love for me to get back to my roots and start scrapbooking on a regular basis again. I would like to as well, but I don't want to cut down on my cardmaking, and there are only so many hours in a day one can devote her craft. So I’ve been thinking: there has to be a way to kill two birds with one stone. How can I combine card-making (which I enjoy so thoroughly) with scrapbooking (which would please my family)? Then the obvious hit me: using card fronts as scrapbook embellishments!
So that’s my challenge to you – design a scrapbook page where one of your focal elements is actually a standard size card front. Your page can be of any size. Here's an 8 1/2" by 11" sample I made for this challenge:
So far, not one single solitary person has taken my challenge. It's making me feel a wee bit unloved. And to think I'm offering a prize to one lucky participant! *sigh* If you're feeling generous and hate the idea of me feeling so dejected, you're welcome to participate in the challenge. And the answer to your unspoken question? Yes, I am shameless...
Supplies used -- Stamps: Punny Farm by MFT; Paper: Brocade Blue, Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla, patterned paper by Inspirables by EK Success and Chloe's Closet by Imagination Project; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black, Close to Cocoa (for sponging edges); Accessories: Cuttlebug and Red Letter Alpha dies, ribbon, ticket corner punch, star-shaped copper brads, dimensionals, paper piercing tool, needle and embroidery floss, mat pack piercing guide.
I'm in! Even though I didn't win that too cute calendar. Do I post my challenge piece here? Or on SCS? Just let me know "bossette" - that's my new name for you. I know Kim is your boss lady and since I'm still but a young grasshopper, you are mine. Does that work for you?
Posted by: Lesa | January 13, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Carole, that is an amazing page and I love the idea of that challenge.
I do have some client work that I've GOT to get to... but I'm putting this on my to do list! What a fantastic idea!!!
You're brilliant my friend!
Posted by: Joanne B. | January 13, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Your work is amazing girl.
R U sure I didnt win the calendar tho!??! *chuckle
Posted by: Carolyn King | January 13, 2008 at 04:14 PM
YEAH! I am glad I won! Thank you, Carole!!
Posted by: Angel | January 13, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Carole, I swear you have written my story. In fact my husband said to me just last night that he wished I did more "of that scrapbooking, I kinda liked that". It actually blew me away, since I never thought he really appreciated any of it.
You speak to my heart. I never felt guilty about not being caught up...I scrapped a lot but even so, it's a hobby not a job! I loved the idea that I would have pictures to scrapbook long into my retirement. However, abandoning it so completely, as I have over the past year, that makes me feel guilty.
Your page is awesome, the photo adorable! I'll try your challenge. Let's see what I can come up with!
Posted by: Laura | January 15, 2008 at 10:04 PM
I read your challenge, but I'm not at home to send some samples to you. Our son has cancer so I'm at the hospital with him recovering from surgery. I look at card sites to keep my mind off of things and I ran across your site. I use my cards quite frequently in my scrapbooks, espcially the kids birthday invites and baby announcements. I also have a page of handmade cards for a shower that my stamp club friends had for me.
Here's our son's website. I started a blog, but don't have time to keep it updated and I'm just learning things on it.
www.caringbridge.org
login: ethanweiman
Thanks for taking the time to create this blog. You do great work! Love the scrapbook page. Ethan, our son, wants a horse for his make a wish!
Posted by: Alicia Weiman | January 15, 2008 at 11:21 PM