Shop Your Stash Challenge Blog

Welcome April!

Here we are, April 1st... but let's not act the fool today. Let's get into our stashes and get creative! Your first SYS challenge for April is an easy one. We are going to spend some time working on two of the biggest trends I've seen in a while... speech bubbles and 3x4 journaling cards (i.e. from Project Life kits, divided papers, print and cut printables, etc). Here's some inspiration for your challenge:

 

Even though speech bubbles are popping up EVERYwhere, I'm not quite "over" them yet. I think they work for so many subject areas. For this layout I layered a Pebbles Chalkboard label on top of a section cut from a piece of Echo Park paper (received in a Cocoa Daisy Kit). I knew the moment I saw that card that I wanted to combine it with the speech bubble paper.

I also added a little dimension by using some pop dots under the Pebbles sticker. The Jillibean Soup mini alphas were the perfect size for that bubble, and I didn't even mind that I was covering up the prompt pre-printed on it. It made sense to me that the dog might start a thought and then switch gears... squirrel! 

So, your challenge for this round (likely another two weeks) is as follows:

1. Use some kind of speech bubble - paper, sticker, die cut, stamp...
2. Use a PL style journaling card on a traditional layout
3. Use at least two different pattern papers and
4. Since this is a get into your stash challenge, this round we are digging deep into our photos - use a photo that is more than 2 years old. In my case, the photo was from 2010. 

But most of all, have fun! Don't forget to link your layout here so we know you are playing along! 

 

Guest Challenger, TamiG: Flea Market Haul

Today's guest challenger: Tami Brundage (aka TamiG). I adore this gal's style and was so excited when she agreed to run a challenge by you all this week! Here's what Tami had to say...

I am so excited to challenge you this week to use up some of that stash! If you are anything like me, you have bought lots of little bits and pieces, here and there over the years with the thought to use them in your scrapbooking.  Well today we are going to get some of those down on the page.  Here are the details:

 

1. Use a patterned paper and embellishment from your favorite scrapbook brand.

2. Use 2 or more "office inspired" supplies on your project.

3. Use both a small and large alpha for your title.

4. Use 1 or more non-scrapbook item(s) that you have collected.

 

Here is my project for the challenge, titled "Flea Market Haul."

 

First I chose some patterned paper and stickers from my stash of vintage Sassafras, my favorite manufacturer.  Don't be afraid to use a supply by a company that is no longer in business; once its on your page you will be able to enjoy it even more than just letting it gather dust.  For the office inspired supplies I chose to use a shipping tag, a punched file tab, and my tiny attacher stapler.  Some other ideas for office inspired supplies in addition to shipping tags, tabs, and staples could be paper clips, label stickers, file folder, rubber bands, office stamps, etc. 

I was super excited about the third part of my challenge to be able to use some of my abundance of alphas.  For the small alpha I used a Studio Calico/Tim & Beck exclusive collaboration from a past kit. You could also check your stash for some of those Basic Grey micro alphas, October Afternoon mini market alphas, or any other ones you have.  For my large alpha I chose a really old Sassafras 12x12 alphabet sticker sheet.  This is one of those sets I have really been hanging on to, but am so glad I am using now.  Lots of large alphas come on 12x12 sheets, you could even use a chunky Thickers set from your stash.  Finally, I decided I should use some of those bits & pieces which I collect just about everywhere I go, essentially ephemera.  I have used two in my layout: one is the vintage button card with the turquoise button (a garage sale find) and the other is a business card I took from the flea market.  Do you find yourself collecting business cards, brochures, napkins, etc. to put with your pictures on a layout, yet forgetting to actually use them?  I do this all the time so I was really glad to make sure I got this one down with the picture to add to my memories.

 

I can not wait to see what you do with this week's challenge, be sure to link your layout here so we know you're playing along.  In addition, if you need a little inspiration on where to start, how about this sketch I based my layout on from the October Afternoon blog: http://octoberafternoon.typepad.com/october_afternoon/2013/03/tuesday-sketch.html Good luck and have fun busting into your stash! Tami

Guest Challenger: Kim Kesti

So excited to introduce you to fellow stamper, scrapbooker, and well, yes sometimes paper hoarder, Kim Kesti. Kim designs for Pebbles, Paper Smooches and is a Paper Crafts Go To Gal too! So, you can bet she has tons of supplies that she needs to use! Visit her blog here: Think Fast, but first take a look, and take on her challenge!  

“Remove Your Mask”

Kim Kesti here, guest hosting a “Shop Your Stash Challenge”. I’ll be the first to admit that I am a pretty Clean and Simple card maker. Although I venture into the Fun and Cute category, I usually avoid the Technical and Get Messy type of card making.

So, I thought I would challenge you to “remove your mask” and pull out one of those scary technique based masking products you once bought on a whim. Maybe it’s a shape, maybe it came in a kit, maybe it’s a large background, or maybe it looks like this:

I’ve had this Studio Calico Chevron Mask for quite awhile and never had the nerve to open the package until just recently. It was actually pretty fun, but as a “newbie” spray mist/mask operator, the card didn’t turn out exactly as planned. (Probably because I tried a different than normal technique). Instead of using the mask to just block off my pattern, I actually used the mask as a stamp. What?

Just as an experiment. I sprayed the mask with three colors of spray mist, then gently moved the mask to a clean area of my craft mat and pressed a piece of white cardstock down on the mask.

 Does that make sense? Basically, I inked up the mask and used it as a stamp. Go figure. 

As you can see, not all of the mask picked up the mist evenly. (I’m guessing the mask wasn’t made to be used as a stamp, LOL!) But, I do kind of like how it turned out. I stamped a sentiment strip, adhered it with foam tape, and then sprayed the whole card with gold metallic mist. Oh, and I added a few droplets of black mist, too. Crazy-technique-y for this girl.

So, here's YOUR challenge:

• Use a mask you haven't used yet, could be older or newer, it's just not opened.
• Stamp somewhere on your card/layout/project
• Use a non-neutral (not white/grey/black/cream/kraft), non printed cardstock
• Use some kind of gem/dot/bling/pearl (you get the idea), preferably some that are more than 6 months old.

What do you think? If I can face my fear of masks, what can you do with one from your stash (if you don't own any, feel free to make one of your own using tapes, die cuts, or punches)? Link us up, please. Oh, and if you (unintentionally) create a masterpiece, why not try out for the Paper Crafts Magazine Stamping Royalty? See all the details right HERE (http://www.papercraftsmag.com/contests/stamping_royalty_2013.html).

 

 

Challenge #4: Fresh Colors; Vintage Paper

Julie's back this week with a really simple challenge! But it's going to have you digging into your patterned paper collection we know you've amassed! Check it out: Hello fellow stash busters. I hope you're enjoying the challenges so far. I am loving seeing all the creations that keep rolling in to the comments here. I am also loving digging in my stash and using up supplies that I just had to have.

Today, I have a color challenge for you. The first part comes from the Color Me Scrappy challenge blog. They are challenging us to use this color scheme:

Via

They are also issuing a twist to use the word 'fresh' somewhere in your project. Read about the full challenge and how to link up over there for the prize here: Color Me Scrappy Challenge. The challenge runs through the 28th. 

I am issuing an additional twist... I want you to use: your oldest piece of patterned paper that you own that coincides with the colors   AND some label stickers somewhere on your layout

Here's my example:

I used some really old Chatterbox papers (the orange and green) from the Dorm Room set. I also tried hand stitching for the first time too. Be sure to link us up in the comments and over on the Color Me Scrappy site. 

Tools+Techniques

Wow, three weeks in already! Thanks to everyone who has shared links to their galleries! It's so much fun seeing how each of you goes after the challenge. Remember, there really aren't any rules. We just want to encourage you to use what you own... 

This week's challenge gets us back to basics. While electronic die cutting machines are all the rage, I remember when I got giddy over any new EK Success border punch. But to be honest, I do believe that I own a couple that I may not have ever used... or maybe used once. Such was the case with my Swiss Cheese Border Punch. Couple this fact with not one, but TWO sites on the net issuing polka dot challenges, and voila' ! Here we are.

This was my first effort... but I didn't really feel satisfied with the patterned paper on it. So, I redid the sentiment on a strip of white cardstock, cut a flag end onto the strip and added it with pop dots. I like the tone on tone much better! Here's the final version :)

We are connecting this week with Paper Smooches Stamps Sparks Challenge .

Although my card was for last week's challenge, PS will have a new challenge starting on Monday - do either one! It's ok if you don't own any Paper Smooches Stamps (though I highly recommend them), they have FREE digi stamps to use too! YAY. Of course, you don't have to enter that part of the challenge if you don't want to. 

Now for the Shop Your Stash part of the challenge. As the title implies, this week is about tools AND techniques. Your mission is to use the following:

• A border punch that has gone unloved for too long (I used the Swiss Cheese EK Success)
• A spray mist of any kind (I used lots of Maya Mists with a mask I made from my punch)
• Baker's Twine (I have such a love for twine)!

Go forth and have fun!

Challenge #2: Start With a Sketch

Julie has agreed to help with the blog challenges. If anyone else wants to join us, just shoot me an email. I am totally digging Julie's layout and challenge! Use an unopened stamp? I think I have that covered... Thanks, girl!

 

Hello there! Julie here today with another challenge to help you shop your stash.

I hope you enjoyed last week's triple threat. I love all of the inspiration gathering in the comments. Today, I have a sketchy challenge recipe for you. I came across the Life. Paper. Scrapbook blog from someone that I follow on Instagram and doing a little google search for sketch challenges. They have a new sketch challenge up on their blog and are giving away some American Crafts goodies and chances to be featured on their blog and possibly in their online publication. The deadline for their challenge is not until Feb 15th, so we will end ours then. Like they say, you must be in it to win it, so make your page and link us up and link your page over in their side bar too. We will still be posting new challenge recipes here every Sunday though.

I love how sketches help me with a starting point. Sometimes the blank page can be intimidating for me. I also hoard some supplies that I fall head over heels in love with. So, for today's challenge, I want you to combine a few things:

1. Use the LPS sketch

2. Use an unused/unopened stamp {the older, the better}

3. Use a technique that scares you 

4. Use two or more accent pieces that you've been hoarding 

Here's mine:

1. I used the sketch as my starting point.

2. The hexagon background stamp was unused and I bought it from Jillibean Soup back in September or October {Honestly, I am not sure exactly, I just know I have had it for a while). The stars stamp is from my Simon Says Stamp September card kit.

3. You may laugh, but those black droplets scare me. I have never gotten them to come out properly and I am quite certain that I don't have to patience to wait for them to dry (for proof, I have black ink on my sewing table now). Also, this is the very first time that I have stamped on patterned paper and used the results.

4. The wooden camera and sewing machine are custom pieces that I ordered from a friend's etsy shop. They weren't cheap, so I have been holding on to them since November. Finally, I glued them down. 

Bonus Challenge Ingredient: Set a timer. I had to be somewhere to pick up my kids, so I only had an hour to complete the layout from beginning to end. 

Thanks for coming and I can't wait to see everyone's challenge entries!! Remember to link us up in our comments and link your page over on the Life. Paper. Scrapbook sidebar. Good luck winning the American Crafts goodies too. 

Triple Threat - My Take

So, it's true. When I started this blog, I was sitting in a coffee shop and not in my studio. That meant I didn't have an actual challenge layout to share with you! But Fridays are a time when I try to really rest and rejuvinate which means - crafting. 

For my layout, I went back to a Studio Calico Add On from the Field Guide kit called, Perennial. It is still a favorite even though that kit was shipped in October of 2011! I loved all the Crate included as well as the general color scheme. 

I started with the background stamp - one of the major draws for buying the kit. I thought that the pp that I stamped upon would be THE patterned paper that I was going to use. Little did I know that pp was ALL I planned to use =/ LOL

In the end, here's how I put together the patterned paper, patterned chipboard, and patterned ribbon for this challenge. And, remember, for this challenge we were also using the Member Lift challenge at Studio Calico. So, this was also inspired by Melissamann's layout featured there. 

But along with shopping my kit stash, I also played with some new toys to create this accent! I recently received some fun stamps and dies from My Favorite Things designed by Laina Lamb.

I used this Accent It set to make the banners below the sentiment and this stamp set for the sentiment.

The dies are so cool. They cut insides and outsides at once and I loved using them with double sided papers and totally changing them up . And honestly? The stamped sentiment? I always test a new stamp on scrap paper because polymer stamps sometimes have trouble with clear images at first. Not this baby. The image I used was my "test" image! Clear, clean, crisp - on the first try. Gotta love good quality. 

I wish I had more time to play today and repeat the challenge. But off to work I must go. Hope you are all having fun with the challenge! Your layouts look great so far! 

Introduction and Your First Assignment!

I've been a fan of challenge blogs for a long time. I often seek them out when in need of just a pinch of inspiration. One of my all-time favorite challenge sites was How Much is Too Much. But unfortunately, that site eventually came to an end (as have many of my favorite sites).

Why did I enjoy that particular site so much? Well, because it encouraged me to "shop my stash." We all have similar problems... we like to hoard pretty crafty supplies, and even after I purged and purged, and donated tons of supplies during a recent downsizing, I still had enough scrappy supplies to open my own store in my home. So, here I sit wondering if I'll ever really use that favorite piece of paper from Sassafras I've been saving, or the Rusty Pickle rub ons I was in love with when they came out. Well, this made me think, why not revive some of those well-loved and missed challenge blogs of the past? It's time to start shopping your stash ladies (and gents?). So, without further ado, here is this blog's inaugural challenge. The plan is to link a stash challenge with a site challenge. That way YOU get to "double dip." You benefit by using up your supplies, AND you get the chance to be entered in a variety of prize opportunities. (if you are a site that offers challenges for your visitors, and you'd like to be featured here, just email me :) )... 

Shop Your Stash: Challenge #1

The Triple Threat: Printed Paper, Chipboard, and Ribbon

Here's the deal: For this challenge you are going to use at least three printed or patterned items.

1. Use a patterned paper that is either from your stash, or if you are a kit subscriber, from a kit that is more than 6 months old! 

2. Use a piece of patterned or printed chipboard (non-alpha). For example, the printed chipboard used on this card was from an OLD KI Memories collection. Love that black and white! 

3. Use a patterned (vs solid colored) piece of ribbon. 

Since this blog was inspired by some posts on the Studio Calico Message Board, let's hook our first challenge up with them! 

Your goal is to submit to the Member Gallery Featured Layout Scraplift Challenge featuring a beautiful layout by Melissamann.

Since their deadline is Monday February 4th, so is ours! 

Be sure to link your layout here to show us that you're playing along! Good luck everyone!