Creative Frenzy

CupCards {to go} - Summer 2014 Kit

Why did no one tell me how time would fly with a baby on my hip? The days blend into one another, and when I occasionally blink and look up at the calendar, I find an entire day, week, or month has gone by. Now that K is nearly 6 months old, I feel like we're finding our groove. I have some time to be creative again, and I'm thrilled to be returning to blogging on a more regular basis.

I wanted to start with my contribution to the CupCards {to go} design team. The most recent kit is called Ariana, and it's packed full of gorgeous gold, shimmery papers and embellishments. It was probably my favorite kit to work with to date, and that's saying a lot because I truly adore the CupCards {to go} kits!

So without further ado, here's what I created this month:

 

 

 

 

From what I hear, there are still a few more kits up for grabs!

 

CupCards {2 Go} - Spring 2014 Kit - You Are My Sunshine

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'll be showcasing cards I created with the new CupCards {2 Go} kit every few days, along with a quick note about my creative process.

This is the last card in the series. I hope you've enjoyed them!

This month's challenge at CupCards {2 Go} is sunshine. We were challenged to create a card with a sunny component. I loved the sentiment, so I started there... but I also wanted to have a sun-like feature on the card as well. Layering a circle sticker with a pretty flower did the trick. I really like the fact that the petals looks like small rays.

I added some flower stickers to pop off the card, and that cute little butterfly as well. Combined with the pretty, floral background paper, this is another bright spring design!

Want to learn more about the new kit? Check it out on the Cupcards {2 Go} site.

CupCards {2 Go} - Spring 2014 Kit - Sweet Wishes

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'll be showcasing cards I created with the new CupCards {2 Go} kit every few days, along with a quick note about my creative process.

Here's today's card:

This is another simple design, but with great impact. The bold colors scream "spring", and the "sweet wishes" sentiment makes the card incredibly versatile.

I particularly like the added elements of the button and the acqua twine. They provide a bit of texture and pop to this otherwise fairly basic card.

Want to learn more about the new kit? Check it out on the Cupcards {2 Go} site.

CupCards {2 Go} - Spring 2014 Kit - So Happy You Are My Sunshine (Totally Awesome!)

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'll be showcasing cards I created with the new CupCards {2 Go} kit every few days, along with a quick note about my creative process.

Here's today's card:

Ah, now this design is a little more up my alley! Lots of layers, multiple elements and colors, and various bits and pieces to catch your eye.

I used the Smooch bottle of blue paint to add some color to the flowers, which were originally white. Because of the texture of the flowers, the paint didn't stick to the petals perfectly, but I actually really like that. It gives the flowers so much depth.

Want to learn more about the new kit? Check it out on the Cupcards {2 Go} site.

CupCards {2 Go} - Spring 2014 Kit - I Love You

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'll be showcasing cards I created with the new CupCards {2 Go} kit every few days, along with a quick note about my creative process.

Here's today's card:

My usual style isn't typically clean-and-simple, but this kit calls out for simple designs. I think it's because so many of the elements included in the kit are bold, colorful, and striking, so I've felt compelled to keep the rest of the card relatively simple when working with one of those focal elements.

I really like the ribbon stripes behind the central image. They set it (and the sentiment!) off perfectly.

Want to learn more about the new kit? Check it out on the Cupcards {2 Go} site.

CupCards {2 Go} - Spring 2014 Kit - Hello 2

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'll be showcasing cards I created with the new CupCards {2 Go} kit every few days, along with a quick note about my creative process.

Here's today's card:

This card started with a sketch inspiration. Want to play along? You can find the sketch here.

I love using "hello" sentiments on cards, because they make them so versatile. I can send a quick "hello" to a friend I haven't spoken to in a while, or to a coworker, or to a family member.

My favorite part of putting this card together was cutting the pattern paper for the background. There's something so rewarding about fussy cutting, even if it's just a simple shape rather than something more complex. I really like the way the pattern paper looks set at just a slight angle.

Want to learn more about the new kit? Check it out on the Cupcards {2 Go} site.

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CupCards {2 Go} - Spring 2014 Kit - Bloom Where You Are Planted

CupCards {2 Go} - Spring 2014 Kit - Hello

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'll be showcasing cards I created with the new CupCards {2 Go} kit every few days, along with a quick note about my creative process.

Here's today's card:

I love the brightness and simplicity of this card. It couldn't have been quicker to put together (which is a really great thing when you've got a napping baby ready to wake up any moment!). I love the central focal butterfly piece, and the popped up overlapped pattern paper behind it. The 3D effect from both of those makes this card really striking in person.

Want to learn more about the new kit? Check it out on the Cupcards {2 Go} site.

CupCards {2 Go} - Spring 2014 Kit - Happy Spring

As I mentioned in a previous post, I'll be showcasing cards I created with the new CupCards {2 Go} kit every few days, along with a quick note about my creative process.

Here's today's card:

This kit is clearly all about spring, which couldn't make me happier. It's been an extremely long and dreary winter here in my neck of the Canadian woods, and I'm very eager for some sunshine, warmth, and pretty flowers. But nothing signals spring more to me than the chirping of birds eager to welcome spring.

That's the feeling I wanted to evoke with this card. The cute birds and butterflies were my inspiration pieces, and the rest of the card came together quickly and easily.

Want to learn more about the new kit? Check it out on the Cupcards {2 Go} site.

CupCards {2 Go} - Spring 2014 Kit - Bloom Where You Are Planted

I can't believe this is my first post since January! K's arrival has turned my world upside down, and my "me" time has been incredibly limited. But I did manage to find a few hours to create some pretty cards using the newest kit from CupCards {2 Go} for my design team commitement.

Over the next few weeks, I'll be showcasing the cards here every few days, along with a quick note about my creative process.

Let's start with this one:

Maybe it's because I recently welcomed K. into our lives, but the "bloom where you are planted" phrase is really resonating with me. When I was working on Project Life last year, I used a "bloom where you are planted" card to mark the beginning of my pregnancy. And now that she's with us, I want her to grow strong, happy and healthy -- I want her to bloom, right here at home.

So I guess I shouldn't be surprised that I went straight for this sentiment when I saw it in the kit. I added the watering can and the cute little bees, along with some ribbon and pretty background paper to make everything pop. The result is a cute, colorful card with a sentiment that makes me melt every time I see it. Definitely one of my favorites this time around!

Want to learn more about the new kit? Check it out on the Cupcards {2 Go} site.

Be True To You - Mixed Media Canvas

After all the scrapbook layouts I've done in the past few days, I was itching to do something a little different. Not that I don't love my scrapbooking, because I really do, but I felt the need to get messy with paint and other mediums.

Donna Downey to the rescue! Her 48 Weeks workshop continues to be a source of inspiration for me. And although I frequently don't have the supplies she uses, I actually really enjoy the fact that it forces me to be creative with the stuff I have on hand. (It's either that or spend hundreds of dollars I don't have; creativity wins every time).

This week's lesson was all about dimension and texture. She used some wide netting in her background, but the only thing I had was wide lace -- so I used that instead. The texture is much more subtle than hers, but it works for me. I also used slightly different colors than she did, opting to go with a bright, shimmery gold as one of my main colors. It looks so pretty combined with the shades of brown and green she recommended.

I used tissue paper instead of the antique script paper she used (to overlay the stems), and instead of stamping words on the finished piece, I used a stencil and modeling paste to get the words down.