New Challenge On The Block

There's a new challenge on the block: The Cameo Spotlight. Today they posted their first challenge: Summer, and we're supposed to use our Silhouette Cameo or SD to create a card.

 Well, I'm not big into Summer as a theme, but since the challenge is officially open to interpretation, I went with sunny colors and made this:

Yes, again with the neon. Hey, they're still out. ;/  This tree is one of the first custom designs I made when I got my Silhouette Cameo. Now that I've had a lot more training, I'd probably have an easier time creating this, but it's done, and it still works. :)

One note about the yellow rectangle behind the sentiment: I was going to make it a full layer under the banner, but the measuring and cutting was making my head hurt. I really only wanted it for contrast, so why not just ... give it some contrast? I am so lazy.

Okay, I'm going back in for more! Thanks for stopping by!

CAS-ual Fridays - Scallops

Another from my pile of challenges is this week's CAS-ual Fridays - Scallops! Let's just say I backed into this one. I was playing and futzing and hacking paper into smaller and smaller pieces, and this card is what came out:

I started by cutting the THANKS from a piece of ... you guessed it: the upcoming SU SAB papers. Why does it take me an hour to cut paper into smaller and smaller pieces and end up with something completely NOT what I set out to make?

I call this CAS only because it's not a fussy card. Just because a card is CAS, don't think it doesn't take just as long - or longer - to make. Just sayin'.

In the end, I backed into another entry for two challenges. The scallops are for the aforementioned CAS-ual Fridays scallop challenge, and once again I have dots and stripes, so I'll enter this over at the Simon Says Stamp blog, too.

Thanks for stopping by!

So Artful Challenge

I'm on another DT! Whoot! I'm now part of the So Artful Challenges Design Team! I liked the challenges because they are not company-specific, which means I can mix and match all my stash, like I usually do! Sweet!

The challenge for today is to create a card inspired by the following images, with an optional theme of dragon or New Year:

 Source: http://www.saragilbaneinteriors.com/travelfordesign/2010/03/f-schumacher-chiang-mai-dragon-fabric-for-sale/

 Source: Pinterest

Source: http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2011/12/subway-art-new-years.html

And here's my card:

  I took the obvious road and used some Japanese paper I have in my stash. I had to buy it (HAD to) when it screamed POPPY at me, and it does totally match that Poppy Parade card stock! I got the dragon image from the Silhouette online store, and cut it out of both gold and black. The black acts as a shadow, and so the gold doesn't disappear into the pretty paper. See:

 Now it's your turn! Come play with us at So Artful and link us up to your creations!

Thanks for stopping by! 

A 'speriment

I ordered some glitter pens for my Silhouette Cameo, and they arrived today, so I had to play! I HAD to! 

I just made this:

The lace is an image I bought at the Silhouette online store, and I used my green glitter pen to draw it with the Silhouette Cameo! May I just say SQUEEEEE! Naturally, I selected one of the most intricate images available to use as my 'speriment. A simple bird cage would never do!

So what is so amazing about this effort? Well, besides the fact that it SPARKLES?!?! I searched high and low all over the Interwebz and could not find instructions on how to sketch & cut with the Silhouette Cameo. Nope. There are instructions and videos on how to use the sketch pen, and how to Print & Cut, but not sketch & cut. Hmph.

So I 'sperimented! I had the image in my software, loaded the card stock and cutting mat, loaded the green pen in place of the cutting blade, and sent the design to the Cameo. GOR-JUS!  Next, DO NOT REMOVE THE CUTTING MAT! Nope. I switched out the pen and replaced the cutting blade. Then in the software I drew an outline around the image and offset it a little to leave a border, deleted the image so all I had was the outline, and sent THAT to the Silhouette. Since I hadn't removed the cutting mat, I hoped it would cut perfectly. And you know what? IT DID! IT DID! WHOOT! I did a happy dance!!!!

Okay, then I had to calm down and make this into a card. I added some loooong-retired SU organza ribbon and tied a three-loop bow with my Bow-Easy. Then I stamped the Mr & Mrs (from Paper Smooches) in Memento London Fog.

I don't know about you, but I think this has potential. :) (squee)

Thanks for stopping by!