Create - I dare you!

There's this thing that I've seen for years, loved, and never participated in.  It's called the Color My Heart Color Dare. A color palette is posted, and you are challenged to create artwork using these colors.  The "theme" runs for about two weeks, but they overlap so there are new winners every week.  You can follow the blog or Facebook page; it's a great source of ideas!

Today the stars aligned, and I remembered to check the theme before creating my March Masking Madness post. For Challenge #539, I used the colors in the first column:  Flamingo, Honey Butter, and Wisteria to create a fun spring card with two stamp sets:  Floral Sentiments and Spring Greetings.  Both are on sale as part of this month's Stamptacular sale.  Don't miss out, this special is more than halfway over and some Thin Cut sets have already sold out!

In addition to using the ink pads of the three colors, I also used a mat of Wisteria cardstock. And here's a bonus Tip for Tuesday, stamping in second (or third) generation gives you a lighter color and even more versatility.  If you are new to stamping, I suggest starting with the darker colors, since you can "lighten" them.

I used a masking technique on this card to leave a space open for the sentiment.  Be sure to follow me on Facebook so you don't miss any of my Tips on Tuesday. Floral Sentiments is a great set I need to use more often. Y'all know as the mother of boys I'm not big on floral stamp sets, but this set includes eight sentiments, a few that are less common than others.  This set reminds me of a special we had many years ago which featured flower building and endless opportunities for random stamped backgrounds, borders, and focused stamping. Here are some other cards using Floral Sentiments...

Have you ever participated in a challenge? Comment below!! The color challenge is open to anyone, and while CTMH colors are used for reference, you can use any brand as long as it's a close color match.

Stash Busting 101

Are you always on the hunt for card and/or scrapbook patterns?  Would you like FREE patterns?!  How about FREE patterns WITH cutting guides?!?!

You can go to my website anytime and download the Workshop patterns and directions.  Current products have the downloads located with the product kit. You can even directions for retired kits here. If you need directions for a product not shown, just LMK.

You don't need to purchase a workshop kit in order to download the directions. If you DO purchase a kit, you can find the instructions linked in your order history.

1. Login to my website.
2. Click on your name and go to ACCOUNT.
3. Click on ORDER HISTORY.
4. Click on the page icon to the right of the order.
5. Click on the red DOWNLOAD... line.
6. From there you can view, save, or print the directions.

Tip:  If I'm going to use different papers, I often make a note of which is which before cutting. I may even use colored pencils to make a visual reminder. (Sometimes I color them just to keep the front and back sides more obvious.)

Here is the layout I made using the design for one of the double page spreads from It's the Little Things scrapbooking workshop kit.  I substituted almost all of the products originally used (see below for list).

You can use the designs offered by CTMH for inspiration and to bust your stash of craft supplies.  It's much easier for me to find an item that's a close substitute than to start from scratch.  You'll see in this layout that I even used word stickers, hearts, and flowers like in the original.

I used some REALLY old products on this layout!  What is the oldest CTMH item you have in your stash??

Here's a video about this layout.

CC12313 It’s the Little Things Scrapbooking Workshop Kit

        It's the Little Things Paper Packet --->  CC10203 Holiday Stack

                                           X9009 Mix In (retired)

        It's the Little Things Scrapbooking Stickers  --->  stickers from Silver & Gold Complements (retired)

        It's the Little Things Scrapbooking stamp set  --->  

                            C1800 Holly Jolly - Cardmaking (retired)

                                       CC9226 Hello Fabulous S+TC 

                            Z4240 Oh What Fun - Cardmaking S+TC (retired)

                            Z3698 Stiched Florals S+TC (retired)

        It's the Little Things Die-Cuts  --->  silver glitter die cuts from Silver & Gold Complements (retired)

        White (& Black) cardstock

        Photo Placeholders

Additional Items:

Z4189 Intense Black Stamp Pad  --->  Evergreen Stamp Pad

Z6510 Nectarine Stamp Pad  ---->  Candy Apple Stamp Pad

Z6517 Lemonade Stamp Pad  ---->  Peach Stamp Pad

Z4580 Quicksilver Metallic Paint Markers  --->  Spectrum Noir Metallic - Precious Metals (retired)

Z4634 Black & White Dots  --->  Ponderosa Pine Big Brads (retired)

Z4572 Blending Brushes

Z4606 1” Masking Tape

Z697 Round Sponge  --->  Sponge Daubers  

Z2089 Glue Dots - Micro Dots  ---> Dual-tip Permanet Glue 

Y1003 2” x 2” My Acrylix Block

Z4643 T-Square Ruler

Paper Trimmer

Scissors

Adhesive

March Madness!

Apparently, some people think this month is all about an orange ball, but I have better ideas!!  First off, CTMH has given us a STAMPTACULAR special this month.  My Acrylix are 35% off and Stamp + Thin Cut sets are up to 60% off!

In addition to the currently available stamps, there are five new sets created just for this special, and they are also discounted! Even better, when you purchase the bundle of all five sets, you save 50%!

For even more Madness this month, I will be featuring a series of masking tips on my Tuesday Facebook posts so be sure to follow me there!  

If Masking is new to you, check out this video.  Masking is the last technique of the three featured. 

BONUS!!  The stamps featured in this video are all in the Stamptacular Sale!

Z3930 Sweet Fruit Stamp + Thin Cuts is about 25% off.

Z3764 Florals & Flutters Stamp + Thin Cuts is over 40% off.

Z3765 So Happy Together Stamp + Thin Cuts is over 40% off.