Etsy Challenge #60: Vivaka's Toy Art

The sponsor for this week's Etsy Inspired Challenge is Vivika's Toy Art. How CUTE are those owls in her shop?? My daughter Katy loves owls, and I know she would just adore one of these bad boys!

My inspiration piece came from this little blue, pink, and chartreuse owl. Adorable! I loved the bold blue.

I used a Pretty in Pink cardstock base and layered on the retired Pacific Point. The stitching around the edges was (once again!) Noel's Zigzag Stitch stamp from OBP. I used the SU rub-on set Bright Delight for the owl and the "happiness" sentiment. Love the green of the sentiment. :) The brackets are from the Unity Doo Dads set, and they are popped up on dimensionals.

So, what's in it for you to play along with the Etsy Inspired Challenge this week? A chance to win great PRIZES, of course! Check these fabulous goodies out! Huge thanks to Vivika and to Unity Stamp Co for sponsoring prizes!


Be sure to play along with us!! After you've been EtsyInspired at Vivika's Toy Art, jump on over to the EtsyInspired blog and post your creation from the EIC post #60. If you post on an online gallery, please use EIC60. You have until next Friday, November 6, at Noon PST to play along!

Sketch 33 with Lauren Meader!!!

Welcome to the Limelight Sketch and Product Challenge for this week! This week, we are bringing you something NEW and EXCITING! We are having our first CELEBRITY Sketch challenge today! :) And our first sketch and inspiration comes from none other than the amazingly talented and sweet LAUREN MEADER. That's right! Our sketch has been provided by Lauren, and she is also playing along with our challenge this week. :) Please be sure to visit Lauren's blog, leave her some love, and thank her for playing along! In honor of Lauren, we are focusing this week on incorporating BUTTERFLIES into our creations! If you have butterflies, use 'em! If not, that's okay...we still want you to play along, of course!

Here is the original card of Lauren's from which this sketch comes:

And this is Lauren's BEAUTIFUL card she created for this week!


For my card base, I used PTI Kraft...WOW! This stuff is perfect for a card base, just like the rest of their cardstocks. I layered on a piece of Jillibean Soup Olive Oil paper from their Minestrone line. I love the deep chocolate color with these ivory flowers! Then I simply stamped some of the butterflies from the Unity Bevy of Butterflies stamp set in Chocolate Chip ink onto SU Melon Mambo cardstock, cut them out carefully, and stuck them on with glue dots so I could help them to "fly"! I outlined some of the details on the butterflies in Crystal Stickles. The sentiment, stamped in Melon Mambo, is also from the Bevy of Butterflies set. I added a few silver rhinestones to the body of each butterfly to complete the card.



The Deets:
**Use the sketch above and try to incorporate your favorite BUTTERFLIES!!
**Key word for SCS upload is LLPC033.
**Post a comment with a link to your card right here on the challenge post by Sunday, November 1, at midnight (or before winner is drawn Monday a.m.).
**PRIZE ~ One lucky winner will receive TWO Stampendous stamps: Mod Dot Butterfly and Ruffled Butterfly!

Don't forget to enter the code BOO in the Comments section at checkout at LimelightPapercrafts.com to receive 20% off of your entire purchase! Through Saturday only! :)

Pumpkin Basket Tutorial

Well, at long last I am posting my pumpkin basket tutorial! Many of you have asked me about it from this post. I am so embarrassed to say that it took me this long! I think that in a way, I was a little intimidated to make a tutorial. Although it did take some time, it was actually quite fun! :) I tried to be very specific in my directions, but please feel free to ask questions. What makes sense to me may not make sense to you, and that's okay!


1. Cut ten strips of patterned paper for your pumpkin basket. These strips measure 1" x 10", but my last basket measured 1" x 12". It just depends on how tall you want to make your basket. You can see how they will be arranged here, too. The side of the paper I did not use for the outside is up here. Set two of the nine paper strips aside until later.


2. Use a Crop-a-dile to punch a hole in the middle of eight of your paper strips. Sure, you could use a regular punch and punch them separately, but this is a real time saver!!


3. Punch a circle of cardstock to serve as a "base" inside your basket. It adds a little stability. I just used a piece of cardstock to save my patterned paper. It's sturdier and no one will see it! Of course you will want a hole in the middle of this as well!


4. Stack the eight strips of paper with the cardstock circle, circle on the bottom, or the side of the patterned paper you do not want showing. Fasten together with a longer, sturdy brad.


5. Fan out the strips of paper so they are evenly spaced.


6. Put them in a cup or bowl so that they are easy to gather into your basket. I used my glass mug that was hand-painted by a wonderful parent of a (also wonderful!) former student! You should be sure your outside of your basket, or your paper side you want on the outside, is facing down in the bowl or cup. Push down so that the paper strips gather together and take on the shape of your mug.


7. Run Sticky Tape (the red stuff) along your last two 1" x 10" strips of patterned paper, and wrap them carefully around the tops of your gathered strips. They should meet and wrap around one another to ensure full coverage around your basket. Be sure the strips stick onto your sticky tape. You may have to use a few extra little pieces of sticky tape to stray paper strips in the middle that are layered behind the strips that stuck. Make sense? See:


8. Next you will use your hands (and maybe a circular object) to shape out your basket into a rounded pumpkin shape.


9. Punch a hole in either side of the rim around the top of the basket. Cut a piece of brown packing paper from one of your recent packages. Brown kraft or even parchment paper would work nicely as well. :) I just tore off a piece, but it was probably 10" x 3" when I started. Twist the paper so that it resembles a brown vine. Cut a hole in each end of your vine. Line up the holes with the holes in the sides of the basket and attach the handles (vine) with brads. Here you can choose to decorate your sides, where the handles are attached. This time, I added Jillibean Soup felt leaves and Jillibean Soup large green buttons! Cute!


10. Fill with treats and give as a gift! Or these DO make nice candy jars for your desk at work (or home...I won't tell!).

The paper I used on this project is Jillibean Soup Minestrone - Thin Zucchini. Love the starburst on the pumpkiny orange paper! :) And with those textured green buttons... Yep! The perfect pumpkin!

Limelight Sale and DT Call!!

*Update: I am still contacting designers, and I will post the new ladies soon!!*

This week, we are offering a SCREAM of a sale! I mean, this is a SCARY GOOD DEAL!! Now through Saturday, October 31, enter BOO at checkout to receive 20% off of your entire order!

How would YOU like to be in the Limelight??
We are now accepting applications for our design team! Applications are due by Wednesday, November 4, and I will announce the new design team here on the blog and on the site after Saturday, November 7, after contacting designers by e-mail. We are only accepting design team members from the United States right now because we only ship within the United States. Here are the deets...

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS A DESIGN TEAM MEMBER?
Create at least the required number of cards, scrapbook pages, or projects per month using at least two products carried by Limelight Papercrafts. (The Limelight products should be the focus of your project.) Then, just post good-quality digital images to your blog and in online galleries, and talk up the store whenever and wherever you can! You would not need to send your creations to me, unless you just REALLY want to. You can use them for whatever you'd like.There will be six total design team spots. The design team will be the driving force of the DT, and they will have the following obligations:
-1 "big" themed project per month. I will assign a themed project to be presented on the sixth of each month, and each DT member will create a project fitting the theme. For example, the themed project for February might be to create a Valentine's Day gift and matching card for a friend.
-2 sketches per month. Yes, some months there will be three because we do these biweekly. Each DT member will participate in the sketches.
-3 additional cards or projects per month.There will also be a Monthly Guest Designer spot. This person will participate in the sketches and the themed project only for the month they are chosen. I will choose monthly guest designer spots from applications received from this DT call (so don't lose heart if I don't pick you RIGHT NOW!!), blog/gallery discovery, and applications received after the deadline.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The compensation is set at a $20 store credit per month, 25% off of store purchases over that, and I also may send you a product or two (for free!) as needed to use in some projects.The
Monthly Designer will receive an assortment of products as well as a 25% discount for the month in which they serve.

HOW DO I APPLY?
E-mail good-quality digital images of three cards or scrapbook pages, PLUS one gift or decor project that you consider to be your best work to mandy@limelightpapercrafts.com. Please put "Design Team" in the subject line. Also include in your e-mail a list of any other design teams on which you are currently serving or have served in the past, as well as one paragraph (or so) telling me why you would like to serve on the Limelight Papercrafts design team! Also include your blog address. One more thing... Tell me where you are located! :)*If you would really prefer to send in your application and cards/projects through the mail, let me know, and I will let you know where to send them. I will not return any projects or applications sent to me.

Etsy Inspired #59 - The Little Red Door

Happy Saturday, blogosphere! :) Welcome to another Etsy Inspired card challenge! This week's inspiration comes from The Little Red Door, who specializes in pottery and gifts. They are offering one of their adorable handcrafted houses to a fortunate winner!

My inspiration came from the piece below. I noticed the blue, red, and white colors and the Christmasy creatures next to the house! For my card, I used the new Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses paper and some beautiful brown satin ribbon from SU (Jill, I repurposed this from my gift basket! *wink*). The stamp is from Your Next Stamp, who happens to be the sponsor for this week's challenge. This set is called Snowy Log Cabin. The snowflake accent is from Stampin' Up, and the brown button is from PTI. Look at the center of the button....it has a FABULOUS little flowery design that goes great with my snowflake shape!!

So what is Your Next Stamp offering up to one lucky winner of this challenge? The Just Swimming By Mermaid stamp set! How cute!

Be sure to play along with us!! After you've been EtsyInspired at The Little Red Door, jump on over to the EtsyInspired blog and post your creation from the EIC post #59. If you post on an online gallery, please use EIC59. You have until next Friday, October 30 at Noon PST to play along!

Sketch 32 WINNER!

The winner of our Limelight Sketch and Product Challenge for this week is RAVENGIRL! Congrats to Toni, who wins a package of Pink Paislee Tinsel Town Ribbons!! :) Here's Toni's GORGEOUS creation:


And here are a few of my other favorites!! Check back tonight or tomorrow. I hope to have my pumpkin basket tutorial up! :) And be on the lookout for a Design Team Call..... ;)

Mandy:


Christi:

Tami:


Shannon:

Happy Sunday!

Happy Sunday, friends! The kids and I are enjoying some lounging around this morning. We'd normally be in church, but Cameron was sick with a possible flu on Thursday and Friday, so we kept the kiddos home just in case. We have all enjoyed a movie (Hoodwinked...love that movie!) and some cardmaking! The kids used some fun Monster stamps I picked up for them at the Target Dollar Spot, and I used some of my new Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg paper and chipboard! Aren't these chipboard pieces TOO cute?!? And the blue patterned paper I used has a woodgrain/tree pattern on it. Perfect for our little woodland critter at the bottom. :) Just a simple card... Hope you enjoy!

I am working on a tutorial... Be sure to check back tomorrow (I hope to have it up for tomorrow!) for that AND for the winner of the Limelight Sketch challenge? Haven't played along yet? There's still time!! Click here for details...

And be certain to check out Limelight Papercrafts for a HUGE selection of Fall and Halloween goodies on sale NOW!!!

Paper: Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg Mini Deck, PTI Kraft. Ink: Close to Cocoa (sponged on edges). Accessories: Burgundy Silk Ribbon, Nutmeg 12x12 Ready Set Chipboard, PTI button (Dark Chocolate).

Etsy Inspired Challenge #58

I am just loving Saturdays now! The Etsy Inspired Challenges are so much fun! What a clever concept to find inspiration to art FROM art! Welcome to another edition of the Etsy challenge. I hope you find inspiration here (and on all of the wonderfully talented Etsy DT members' blogs!), and I hope you PLAY ALONG! There is lots of fun to be had...and a PRIZE to be won! ;)

This week's shop is Linkel Designs, and let's just say it's hard to find something that does NOT inspire you to create! I really enjoyed looking through all of the beautiful pieces of jewelry they have to offer! For example, one lucky (random) participant will win this lovely pair of earrings this week:


I found my inspiration this week from this piece, the Cheerful Songbird Necklace. I just fell in love with the combination of the bird with the flowers, and I loved the silver with those vibrant yellow and aqua colors! Fabulous! I used October Afternoon Cherry Hill paper for the grey polka dots against an SU Soft Sky base. The Wonderful...you sentiment from the Unity October store kit, also named Wonderful...you, was stamped in silver ColorBox ink. I tied some Splash Tulle around the card and tied a quick knot. Layered on are a Jillibean Soup Harvest Bean Seed (the yellow flower), an Ocean Tides PTI button, and a Heidi Grace pin. The bird is also from the Wonderful...you kit and is embossed in silver embossing powder. To add a little more pop to this otherwise soft card, I added Bronze rhinestones around the scallops. Does this layout look familiar to you? I just LOVE the Limelight sketch for this week, so I used it again! LOL! I hope you'll play along. (Psst! More PRIZES!!!)


So how do you play along? Find an item in the Linkel Designs shop, and be inspired! Make any item you wish and post a link to it on the Etsy Inspired Blog by Friday Oct 23, noon Pacific time. A random winner will be chosen on Friday and posted on the EtsyInspired blog. If you upload to SCS or PCP, please use keyword EIC58.

Sketch 32: RIBBON!

Wow, is it REALLY Thursday already? What a week! I hope you are staying warm and staying healthy! Welcome to the newest installment of the Limelight Sketch and Product Challenge! Our focus for this week is on RIBBON!! I don't know many people who will find it challenging to use some pretty ribbon, unless it is simply too tempting to keep in the stash. ;)

We have some special friends joining us for the challenge this week! The Etsy Inspired Challenge design team is doubling up as guest design team members for Limelight for this fun sketch!!! Welcome, Etsy! I will post their links at the bottom of this post. Please show them some LOVE!!! :)

For my card base, I used Kiwi Kiss, one of last year's SU In Colors. I just love this color and still use it often! I matted a piece of the new Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg paper pad onto my card base, and I created the scallops by punching circles of the same paper and layering them onto the first piece of patterned paper. Easy-peasy! I tied a length of the super-luxurious Burgundy 1.5" silk ribbon around the card and tied a knot through a button, which is actually a chipboard piece from the Nutmeg 12x12 Ready-Set-Chipboard set! Very fun and very simple. These day's, that's the name of the game!! The "friend" sentiment is from a Stampin' Up rub-ons set...I think it's called Brighten Up. The glittery swirly fall leaf is from the Unity Kit Simple Blessings. I stamped it in VersaMark and traced over it with Diamond Stickles. I love it!


The Details:
**Use the sketch above and dress it up with your favorite RIBBON!!
**Key word for SCS upload is LLPC032
**Post a comment with a link to your card right here on this post by Sunday, October 18, at midnight (or before winner is drawn Monday a.m.).
**PRIZE ~ One lucky winner will receive a package of Pink Paislee Tinsel Town Ribbons!


Etsy Team Members:
Ashley
Joy
De
Shannon
Emily
Heather
Kerry
Jackie
Kristen

Unity Store Kit BLOG HOP!!!

Hi, everyone! Just wanted to be sure you hopped along the Unity Store Kit Blog Hop!! Be sure to START HERE, and view each Unity DT member's lovely creations with the October Kit, Wonderful...you! (Be sure to leave lots of comments, too! You know Unity loves givin' away free rubbah!!!)

When you're done with the blog hop and cannot wait ANY longer to purchase your Wonderful...you October store kit.... Well, visit Limelight Papercrafts, of course!

If you haven't checked out my first post of the day, click HERE to see my Etsy Inspired card!

Etsy Inspired Challenge #57

Happy Saturday, friends! As I've already shared, I am so excited to be the Guest Designer for the Etsy Inspired Challenge for the month of October!

This week's inspiration comes from Kharliebug, a fantastic little shop full of super-cute handbags! I loved the positioning of the buttons on the bag featured below, so I used it as the inspiration for my card:


I used the brand new Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg papers for the patterned paper, and I "sewed" it onto my card using the OBP Zigzag Stitch stamp (so cool!). The sentiment, "Wonderful...you" comes from the Unity store kit for October, also called Wonderful...you! Let me tell you, I LOVE this fabulous set! The buttons (Dark Chocolate) and linen button thread are Papertrey Ink, and the paper (Dusty Durango) and ink (Chocolate Chip) are both Stampin' Up! I rounded the bottom two corners to give a purse-like feel. I love my bows tied through the button holes...a fun touch, I think! :)


Limelight Papercrafts just so happens to be the sponsor this week! ;) We are offering up what I used on my card! A lucky winner will receive the Cosmo Cricket Nutmeg Mini Deck AS WELL AS the Nutmeg 6" Ready Set Chipboard!

Be sure to play along with us!! After you've been EtsyInspired at Kharliebug, jump on over to the EtsyInspired blog and post your creation from the EIC post #57. If you post on an online gallery, please use EIC57. You have until next Friday, October 16 at Noon PST to play along!

Six Chicks Fall Decor

It's October 6, the day when the Limelight DT brings you fabulous inspiration for your Fall and Halloween home decor projects! :) Be sure to use the links in my right sidebar to view all of the fabulous projects brought to you by our Design Team, including our fabulous guest designer Sarah Martina!!

What can be an easier (yet still elegant!) fall gift than this? This project is no more involved than affixing several of the new Stampendous Fall Trees Copper Stickers to the lovely eggplant-colored mug and bowl that I picked up from Ikea. Super-cheap and quite beautiful! I have not yet tried it, but these Class A'Peels stickers claim to be dishwasher-safe. I do apologize for the HORRIBLE photos! It has been raining non-stop, and I'm not the best photographer!

Sketch 31 WINNER!!

The winner of the Limelight Sketch and Product Challenge is... JILL! :) Jill is actually a good friend of mine, so I'm so thrilled for her! Here is her fabulous card here...


She used the new TaDa EIEIO line! ;) Here are some of my other favorites! :)

Toni:



Janice:


Katie:


Elise: