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!
I'm IN! FUN! Love your card, Ally! And I love that you started this blog. Thanks for providing further inspiration! :D
g
Posted by: Gillian | 01/29/2013 at 10:00 AM
Fun and fast working, Ally!!! I'm hoping to take part in a few of your challenges.
Posted by: Magdalena/Rockermorsan | 01/29/2013 at 10:42 AM
Yea for you! I seem to only scrap in response to challenges these days - so the more, the better. Incidentally, this also seems to be the only way I clean house.
Posted by: Penny | 01/29/2013 at 12:25 PM
Love this, will be doing as many as I can!
Posted by: Amy Stuart | 01/29/2013 at 03:18 PM
This looks fun! I'll definitely be playing along!! Thanks for creating this challenge blog Ally!
Posted by: Valerie Bishop | 01/29/2013 at 03:20 PM
Very cool :) Hopefully I'll get to play this weekend!
Posted by: KimberlyMarie | 01/29/2013 at 04:33 PM
Here's my answer to your challenge, Ally! http://www.studiocalico.com/galleries/79792-birthday-card-ally-s-challenge Thanks a bunch! This was fun! :)
g
Posted by: Gillian | 01/29/2013 at 04:43 PM
i love this!! can't wait to join in!
Posted by: julie weis | 01/29/2013 at 11:48 PM
I'm definately in, but the subscribe button isn't working.
Posted by: Dana Desmond | 01/30/2013 at 06:54 AM
Thanks for the info, Dana! I'll see what I can figure out after I get back to my office this afternoon.
Posted by: Ally | 01/30/2013 at 07:11 AM
Thanks for the challenge. I used the items but I didn't lift Melissa's LO. Mine's here.
http://www.studiocalico.com/galleries/79838-kiss-me-quick
Posted by: Sonja | 01/30/2013 at 09:06 AM
This was so fun! Looking forward to the next challenge :)
Here is my take: http://www.studiocalico.com/galleries/79848-smile
Posted by: Brenna | 01/30/2013 at 12:28 PM
OK, FINALLY killed Who's Who - thanks for the shove in the back, Ally :)
Here's my layout: http://www.studiocalico.com/galleries/79902-plus-ca-change
Posted by: Julia (majic) | 01/30/2013 at 10:32 PM
Thanks for the challenge, it´s my first challenge ever :)
Here´s my link: http://www.studiocalico.com/galleries/79913-suswic
Posted by: Susanne/suswic | 01/31/2013 at 05:36 AM
Loved doing this. And it only took 3 days to finish a page (ack). Patterned paper and printed chipboard from the SC County Fair kit & add-ons; striped ribbon from Basic Grey that is probably older than the SC brand! Already posted on the Member Gallery scraplift, so I'm off to pour more coffee.
http://www.studiocalico.com/galleries/79934-ramble-on
Posted by: Penny | 01/31/2013 at 09:18 AM
loved this challenge 'cause I know that I would never have used that chipboard without it!
http://findellfamily.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-new-challenge-site.html
Posted by: Leah | 01/31/2013 at 03:30 PM
Here is my LO, I did play along with the member scraplift challenge on SC also.
http://www.studiocalico.com/galleries/80024-scrap-your-stash-1
I am a paper hoarder, so this was so helpful and of course to use some long forgotten chipboard. Thanks again.
Posted by: Banu H | 02/01/2013 at 10:23 AM
Ally, thanks!!
That was fun, even if I'm not so sure of the outcome *giggle*
I loved digging deep into uncharted stash territory.
http://www.studiocalico.com/galleries/80263-puppydogeyes-shop-your-stash1
I've even done No.2 already, that's how much fun I'm having here, hee hee
Posted by: EvaT | 02/03/2013 at 02:41 PM