WINNER! WINNER! WINNER!

I am soooooooooo late in drawing the winner of the FREE one-month subscription to Craft Project Central.  In this blog post, I promised to do the drawing and make the announcement on June 13th.  I'm so appreciative of those who took a moment to leave a comment!  So . . . without further delay . . . [drum roll] . . . the winner is:

 

Ariel, who wrote, "Regina, I love the designs you have created with this set…so clever! I love the little pocket portfolio – such a sweet gift idea!"

 

 

Ariel, if you will contact me at randari at hotmail dot com, we will get your FREE one-month subscription started!

 

Even if I am sometimes late drawing the winning name and announcing it here, PLEASE don't stop leaving comments because there will always be a winner and I love being able to share the awesomeness of Craft Project Central!

PAPER PUMPKIN PROMOTION - AWESOME DEAL!!!!

If you've never subscribed to Stampin' Up!'s monthly project kits, aka Paper Pumpkin, now is a fantastic time to do so!  The first kit is only $5!!!!

 

 

To take advantage of this promotion, which ends tomorrow (June 30th at 11:59 MT), just click THIS LINK.  Complete the online subscription and then, in the Order Summary, enter the promo code (ONEDAY0717) in the "Prepaid/Promo Code" field. 

 

Receive a handmade thank you card from me when you start your subscription HERE.  It's never too late to start receiving Paper Pumpkin project kits each month, but now is probably the perfect time!  If you have any questions, feel free to email me at randari at hotmail dot com.

 

It may come as no surprise for me to say that I thoroughly enjoy the monthly kits.  Even when the designed project is not something that appeals greatly to me, I still enjoy putting the kit contents to good use.  I think my favorite thing about the kits is being able to build a sizable stash of Stampin' Spots (1" cube ink pads). 

 

How adorable is this watermelon-themed gift bag?  This month's Paper Pumpkin kit included supplies to make FOUR of these gift bags + SIX coordinating note cards (with envelopes, of course).  I took my kit to the mountain house over the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed working on the projects.  I now have a festive bag to fill with something sweet and/or useful the next time that I visit my great-aunts.





SEASONAL SHADOW BOXES

Celebrate all four seasons with this shadow box ensemble. Using the Colorful Seasons Bundle and the Color Theory Memories & More Card Pack and Designer Series Paper Stack makes this project a snap to create. This group of shadow boxes will brighten any room, and they’re so simple to create, you can make one set for yourself and one to give away. The beautiful card can be sent separately or used as a gift card. This would make a wonderful class project.

The tutorial for the June Bonus project, which was designed by Buffy Cooper, can be found at Craft Project Central. 

 

DID YOU KNOW?  The bonus project can be obtained by subscribing to any of the three, six, or 12-month subscription packages that include the month that the bonus project is posted. 

VARIETY OF VERSAMARK REFILL TECHNIQUES

Do you love to make the most of your supplies?  This tutorial is all about stretching the limits of your VersaMark refill!  You will learn to use your VersaMark Refill in the bottle for simple and complex freehand drawings.  You will also sketch and apply VersaMark using a paintbrush.  Finally, you will discover how to transfer a photo onto watercolor paper and apply VersaMark to create works of art that are suitable for framing! From simple to more challenging, these techniques can be fun for adults and children alike! Let’s stretch your VersaMark refill to its limits…and beyond!

 

There are so many great project ideas in this tutorial, which was designed by Michelle Wecksler.  You will find the tutorial at Craft Project Central, and it isn't too late to get your subscription started.

RAMSOUR'S FIRST BIRTHDAY

Yesterday was Ramsour's first birthday, and it was also my son's birthday.  Chad and I enjoyed a trip to PetSmart to purchase a few fun toys for Ram, and he had a blast with them when we got home! 

 

Ramsour is THE sweetest, friendliest, most kind-hearted and gentle little fellow!  We've learned that he is also sensitive, which means that we have to be mindful to not let him think that we're upset with him.  Sometimes when I am cleaning the kitchen, which is a noisy job, he will leave the room because he thinks I'm mad.  Border Collies aren't supposed to be lap dogs, but Ram doesn't seem to know that.  He will often crawl up to my son's lap or beg to be picked up and, once held, he just relaxes and looks like he's right where he will ever want to be.  He is also the smartest dog that I have ever known.  He's a quick learner and, from a very early age, he knew all of his toys (about 8 of them) by name.  One of the newest games that he enjoys playing is hide and seek . . . we show him one of his toys, have him stay out of sight while we hide it, and then tell him to find it.  Sometimes he's ready to find before we are, but that's just how much he enjoys the game.  ;-)  Before we went to Tennessee to get him, I asked my son what kind of coat he would have and whether he would shed, and I'm not sure if my son just didn't know what to expect or if maybe he said what I wanted to hear.  All I know is that the saying is true . . . our Border Collie only sheds once a year--for 365 days.  We laugh about it and joke about turning all of his hair into a Ramsour clone, but I truly wouldn't trade our little guy for anything!  I could go on and on, but I really just wanted to share the photo collage and a little bit about our little birthday boy. 



PICK A DAISY, MAKE A SMILE

A daisy … the rose among wildflowers--a friendly flower that puts a smile on one’s face. In this step-by-step tutorial, you will make a bouquet of daisies that never wilts to brighten up a room or give as a gift along with a sweet little note card. You will also get instructions to make two fun fold cards using the new Daisy Delight Suite in the brand new 2017-2018 Annual Catalog.

The tutorial for this pretty ensemble, which was designed by Cindy Brumbaugh, can be found at Craft Project Central.

MAY SWAPS: MASCULINE

At my April Inkerbelles' class, we decided on a masculine theme for the May swap, and these are the fantastic cards that were made:

 

Aren't the cards great?!?!  There are some creative color combinations and design features to take away from this awesome group of cards!  As a matter of fact, when I made a Father's Day card for my dad, I was inspired by the tools on Lisa's card and Tracy's slider design.  I didn't take a photo of daddy's card before I mailed it, but I will try to get a photo soon.  Lastly, this is the swap that I made, which features Stampin' Up!'s Glamper Greetings stamp set:



BOXED CARD SET & CANDY HOLDER

This matching card box set and cute candy holder project makes a wonderful gift-from-the-heart. Who wouldn’t love a set of handmade cards and a jar of flowers with a hidden chocolate surprise?! The card box is a simple design and holds four cards with envelopes. This set of cards features the Jar of Love Stamp Set and coordinating Everyday Jars Framelits, and the Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper highlighting new 2017-2019 In-Colors. This project requires a lot of Big Shot work, but it is worth it in the end!

 

 

The tutorial for this project, which was designed by Julie DeGuia, can be found at Craft Project Central.

VERSATILE "WORK OF ART" CARD SET

The project that I designed this month for Craft Project Central is featured today, and this is the introduction that I wrote for it:

The images in the Work of Art Stamp Set may not look very exciting, but they are so versatile!  In this tutorial, you will learn to put those images to work in a way that creates a focal point or a jazzy background.  This tutorial also includes instructions for the pocket portfolio with a diagonal cut across the front to reveal a glance of the awesome cards inside.

 

I often find myself reaching for Stampin' Up!'s Work of Art stamp set because the images just scream for free-flowing design and splashes of color!  I had so much fun designing the cards for this ensemble!  One of my favorite things about being a designer for Craft Project Central is being able to give a FREE one-month subscription to one lucky person who will not only have access to my tutorial but all of the others posted during the month as well.  If you would like to get your name in the drawing for the FREE subscription, just click THIS LINK and leave a comment on my project.  The winning name will be drawn on Tuesday, June 13th, and announced on my blog.  Be sure to visit my blog again on the 13th to see if you're the winner.

WOOD TEXTURES FOR SKETCH CHALLENGE #72

I always look forward to the monthly Creating Pretty Cards - Card Challenge at Craft Project Central, and this is the card that I designed for Sketch Challenge #72:

 

Stampin' Up! products featured on my card include:
Cardstock:  Crumb Cake, Vellum, Early Espresso, Lemon Lime Twist
Designer Paper:  Wood Textures
Ink:  Early Espresso
Stamp Sets:  Dragonfly Dreams, Colorful Seasons
Sizzix:  Seasonal Layers Thinlits
Accessories:  Linen thread, Metallic Sequins Assortment

As mentioned in my post yesterday, Craft Project Central will give a free one-month subscription to one lucky person IF there are 10 cards submitted for the card challenge.  Creating one card is an easy way to give yourself a chance to win a month's worth of awesome project tutorials, isn't it? 

 

CREATING PRETTY CARDS - CARD SKETCH #72

Each month in addition to the great 3D projects that Craft Project Central has for you, they also host a monthly card challenge – Creating Pretty Cards!! To help you recreate the sketch each month, they also provide a free Sketch Mini Tutorial! This mini tutorial has information about how the inspiration card (using the sketch) was created, supplies used, and basic measurements!!  For every ten cards submitted, they’ll pick one winner of a free one month subscription! The winner(s) will get to select the month of their choice! Head over to Craft Project Central to learn more and submit your creation!!  This is what the sketch looks like:

And this is the card that this month's sketch designer, Monika Davis, created:

"BEAUTIFUL YOU" PURSE CARD SET

Do you like purses made from cardstock and paper, but think they’re too hard and time-consuming to make? Well, you’re going to love this purse! It’s super easy to put together, and it’s big enough to hold four cards with envelopes. This tutorial shows how to make the purse, along with four different cards. The project features the Beautiful You Stamp Set and the new 2017-2019 In Colors! This would make a great gift and a great product-based class.

 

 

The tutorial for this fantastic ensemble, which was designed by Christy Fulk, can be found at Craft Project Central.