On the Hunt for More Challenges

I was on the hunt the other day for some more challenge websites. I love CAS-ual Fridays and Pals Paper Arts, but when I am prepping for a new year of stamp classes, I find that these challenge websites revive my otherwise empty idea pot. 

While I was scouring the internet, I came across the website CAS(E) this Sketch! It's pretty cool. I like cards that are clean and simple and these layouts looked like they provided that type of opportunity. Not only that but Challenge #38 this week reminded me of a melted crayon MIY (make it yourself) project I have seen all over Pinterest. This was all the prompting I needed. 

This first card I made used a variety of blue shades from Stampin' Up: Island Indigo, Soft Sky, Pool Party, and Night of Navy. I used the Gorgeous Grunge set and actually made the card look like the melted crayon art. The sentiment is from PTI and it's called Think Big Favorites #1. Add a little rhinestone for bling and done. Quick and easy. I love this card, but I also feel like it looked too much like the examples given on the challenge website. 

So I decided to try again. This time I was back in the Christmas spirit and I took a color combo right from Stampin' Up's Holiday catalog: Real Red and Coastal Cabana. This time I decided to turn the sketch sideways for a different look. I used A Banner Christmas set for the chevron stamp and Sweet Essentials for the sentiment. Again I added some bling and another quick and easy card was complete. 

For a cool and quick sketch website, check out CAS(E) this Sketch!

Christmas in July

I'm not sure what got me in the Christmas spirit this week while making my card for the Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge #165 and Always Playing with Paper's Merry Monday July Challenge of Anything Goes Christmas, but I'm thinking it was a new Stampin' Up stamp set called A Banner Christmas and a bit of new designer paper. 

I love Christmas. All the decorating and baking, but unfortunately we live in Wisconsin and winter lasts for like 7 months. At least that is what it feels like. It's a gloomy day and a bit of Christmas in July is just what the meteorologist called for. 

I was able to use a piece of Winter Frost Designer Paper to use for my background and a piece of Silver cardstock for the flag on the right side. I used the Oh, Hello chevron oval for a bit of pattern layering. A few buttons and a pop of color with the baker's twine make you want to get into the spirit, even in July. 

My favorite part of the card is definitely the silver embossed "Joy" sentiment from the new A Banner Christmas set (new in the Holiday catalog.) I love how the silver just pops, but also fits into the frostyness of the card.  

If Christmas looked this good, I wouldn't mind celebrating in July. 

Update: This card was a PPA Pick this week. Thank you for all your views and visits.