Damask Divas Blog Hop: Chalk It Up

Good Afternoon Friends! I can hardly believe that its once again time for the Damask Divas Blog Hop! Where has the summer gone? I feel like it only started yesterday, but really school will be in session once more in just a few short weeks. Crazy, I know! 

If you have arrived from the Amazingly Talented Amie's Blog, then you are definitely in the right place.  If you are joining us starting here, then head over to Damask Diva's Blog and be sure to share some love with all the other amazing ladies participating this month!

This month we are highlighting a super cute and totally brand new paper pack, Chalk It Up. Such perfect timing for Chalk It Up to come out with our new catalog and just before school starts. This is perfect for all of those school moments you have been waiting to scrapbook or really for anything you can think of! Its super cute and super versatile.

Now, I didn't do much out of the box thinking this month, sort of found myself a little short on time, but I did get an opportunity to put together a great layout from Make It from Your Heart Vol 2 called Happy Little Life (Pattern 7) that I was given at Convention. They even provided everything already pre-cut, which was kind of nice to have as I was rushing to finish this project in time for the Blog Hop. So, they pre-cut the paper, as well as gave us fairly detailed instructions and photos to show how to put it together.

I started by stamping all the images I needed and then set to work gluing everything on. I really enjoyed not having to cut much of anything. I did have to fussy cut around some of my smaller images like the flowers, as well as dovetail a few things. Still it was so simple, but beautiful to put together. It pretty much fell into place and didn't take too long either. I even got the opportunity to distress all the edges with my Sanding Kit, which really added to the look of the layout.

I attempted to print out my own photos for this layout, but decided since I was almost out of black ink that it could just wait. But when I do get it 100% finished I'll be sure to share a photo!

I really had a lot of fun putting this layout together and I think you will too! Want to pick up your own copy of Make It from Your Heart Vol 2? Head over to my Shop and order today! August 1st our new Idea Book is going live and you'll be able to purchase your very own Chalk It Up paper pack, as well as other brand new product including the stamp sets used on this layout!

Thanks for dropping in and visiting today! Your next stop will be at Stephanie's Blog! Remember Get Crafty!

Items Used

Black Ink 

3-D Tape

Lagoon CS

Sorbet CS

White Daisy CS

(Available Aug 1st)

Glacier Ink

Flaxen Ink

Chalk It Up paper pack

Wanderful paper pack

Glacier CS

Handwritten Print Alphabet Stamp set

Glitter Glam Stamp set

Here We Go Stamp set

Happy Birds Stamp set

A Unique Wedding Gift

  As an 'Artist' I'd like to think I can creatively come up with ways to appeal to my customers and to give ideas to others. I love challenges, but I have to admit when the original card for my customer proved to be not exactly what she wanted. I discovered that there had been some miscommunication between my customer and I. (Something I plan to remedy, especially when a customer is wanting something very particular) So, I set to brainstorming once again.

She wanted to highlight both of her friends, who are getting married this month, for the a crazy & unique hobby; the Polar Bear Plunge. One of them wears a yellow cape and the other a floral headband. She also wanted their names, as well as their wedding date. Then she told me she wanted it so she could frame it and give it to them. So, I had a lot of detail to work with, but I needed and wanted it to be perfect. Who doesn't want a happy customer?

I started with a sketch. A very simple and rudimentary sketch, but I think it highlighted exactly what she wanted and presented my way. So I set to work, starting with cutting an 8x10 base in Daisy White Cardstock. Followed by a sheet from the Timberline paper pack (it has constellations on it) approximately 8x6. I also sketched a piece on some Daisy White CS to look like snow covered hills to give some depth to the image. I sketched both Polar Bears and the moon on Colonial White CS. (I am not a very good artist as far as drawing goes) but after a lot of revision I finally managed to get two very cute polar bears drawn. I fussy cut all three images.

I used the Banner Wishes stamp set with Black ink on Buttercup CS (a retiring item). I was even able to fit both their names and wedding date on the banner changing my original idea up a little bit. I love how it turned out. I fussy cut that image. Finally I distressed the edges of the bears and moon with black, adding in the eyes with a journaling pen and sponging more black over the surface of the moon. I edged the snow in Twilight (which is incidentally retiring at the end of the month, snatch that beautiful color up while you can!) I used some 3-D tape to pop up the moon, the banner and both polar bears. The finishing touch to the project was adding some yellow terry fabric (which I dabbed it in some Honey ink to enhance the color some more) and a floral headband made using some Neutral Bakers Twine & adhesive flowers I had lying around.

I felt moments of pure frustration with this project at moments, but I think we all do from time to time. I felt I had high expectations to live up to and I didn't want to disappoint her again. So, when I finally looked at this work of art, and I truly feel it is a Work of Art, I was proud and delighted by how it  had turned out. What made that even better was when I handed it to her and she was so excited about it. She said, 'This is exactly what I wanted!' I glowed with pride and sighed a hefty sigh of relief. One custom order down with a very satisfied customer! So, what do you think of my hard work?

Check out my Shop, so you can stock up on your supplies and have a chance to Get Crafty! I hope you all have a great day!