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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Whimsical Wednesday Challenge: Let's Use Our Scraps!

Happy Wednesday, dear friends! Guess what today is? My very first weekly challenge as a member of an incredibly talented design team. So excited!

The Whimsical Wednesday challenge this week is Let's Use Our Scraps! To be honest, fear struck my heart. ;) I've never created a card made exclusively from scraps, so I was intimidated. Then I laughed at myself because this is a challenge blog, after all! :o) So I dove into my growing pile of severed and Cricut'ed paper to see what would happen. I decided to use this opportunity to force myself out of my recent color rut. No pink or blue allowed. (Cue fear... again.)

Here is the color palette and scraps I settled upon:

Here is my completed project, which I'm so happy to share with you:

My thought process for this challenge was essentially this: Scraps... segments... tiny pieces... squares... QUILT... which can symbolize the warmth and coziness of friendship. My inspiration for this card is my dear friend Christina (who my followers may recognize as the one who leaves me novel-length comments... most supportive and enthusiastic cheerleader ever, in every endeavor of mine.) Her favorite color is orange and she loves nature, so I selected any coordinating orange and floral scraps I had, plus some pale yellow and white. I cut the main papers into strips and squares, then arranged them in a quilted fashion. To break up the busy pattern a bit, I added the yellow down the middle, which has a gorgeous embossed design on it. (It's the flip side of the moon cut-outs in my scrap picture.)

To personalize it while keeping my theme, I "sewed" in some of the beauty we weave into our friendship: Joy, Love, and Trust. I went to town with the faux stitching to solidify it as a quilt as opposed to a mosaic (which was my back-up plan if this didn't work out). I wanted a strong focal element that didn't overpower the quilting, so I weaved together the sweet ribbon wreath. You know how enamored I am with ribbon!

The simple tutorial is HERE if you'd like to make one, too! :o) I nestled the sentiment inside, pop-dotted the entire center element, and finished off my card with a few butterflies and a smattering of orange rhinestones. An unsparkly wreath wasn't an option. ;) I was tempted to add more stuff, but resisted. For this theme and this recipient, an overall simple look with one special technique was my goal.

I hope you'll join in the fun this week! I would love to see what your scraps can morph into. :o) Check out the Whimsical Wednesday Weekly Challenge post to see what prize is being offered. Also be sure to visit the rest of the Design Team's blogs to see their fabulous creations. :o)

I'll be back tomorrow with a new project I'm working on... my first altered item! And for my sweet crafty friends who have inquired, I'll also tell you a bit about my most perfect Saturday night at the concert. It couldn't have been more amazing! I wanted to tell you about it so much sooner, but this week has been nuttier than a Snickers. Have a gorgeous and sparkly day, everyone! Thank you for visiting. :o)

Key Recipe Components:
 * Cricut cartridge: Elegant Edges
 * Paper: Bazzill, DCWV, Graphic 45, Papertrey Ink
 * Ribbon: Celebrate It, Essentials
 * Flower: Prima
 * Miscellaneous: Fiskars butterfly punch, iRock

Photobucket

26 comments:

  1. I absolutely love this card and it caught my eye with the Ribbon weaving you did one the card. It is so personal and I think shows how strong your friendship is and how special your friend is to you :) considering that it was made out of scraps (which I have lots of) I shall have to visit this design soon and try to scrap-lift if you are ok with that - not all... but would love to do one for my daughter or sister who have a birthday soon. I have been looking for a special card and think that this may just be the one! thanks for sharing!

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  2. The ribbon wreath! THE RIBBON WREATH! Oh my goodness Karen, you have completely outdone yourself! I love the quilted look in those beautiful fall colours, and your lovely sentiments. And have I mentioned your RIBBON WREATH? Simply stunning. As always, you inspire me. :)

    Nita

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  3. WOW! This is just amazing. It is so hard to believe that it is made from scrapes. The wreath is beautiful! Thanks for adding the link for the tutorial. I will surely be making one soon. I like the way you added the sentiment in the middle of the wreath. This is truly beautiful!

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  4. Karen, you did a FABULOUS job. Way to go! ~Shen

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  5. Hi Karen,WOW FANTASTIC job with the ribbon wreath!That is soo AWESOME,BEAUTIFUL job with all your scraps to!And I LOVE the sweet little butterflies!!:)

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  6. Cute card and that ribbon weaved wreath is gorgeous! Awesome job! Hugs- Glora

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  7. WOW! This is just amazing! I love the woven ribbon wreath and quilted background! Awesome job using your scraps because this is just BEAUTIFUL!

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  8. Karen, I love your quilted look for your scraps, I also love the wreath, I made one on a christmas card using the same tutorial. Thanks for reminding me of it.

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  9. I love this! The quilting is such a great idea to show friendship and you accomplished the look perfectly. The ribbon wreath is amazing! I can't wait to make one myself :)

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  10. Spectacular! That ribbon stole the show but the quilting squares in the background are super pretty and make a great landing place for that outstanding centerpiece.
    Crafty best wishes,
    Sonia

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  11. Karen, this is a very special card indeed! What friend would not love to receive this card. The ribbon weave is just amazing. You did an outstanding job my dear friend. Hugs, Pam at http://craftycards4u2.blogspot.com/

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  12. Absolutely beautiful!! I totally fell in love with the wreath the second I saw it! Your friend is going to love this card. Tfs and have a great day. :)

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  13. So so lovely, Sweets! Christina will be so pleased! Where is she anyway? Still coming off her own brush with Joshness? It does take a while to get over ;) I'll be joining your ranks next week! Whee!!! So much happiness abounds!

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  14. You did a great job, Love the tutorial thanks and it looks great with that mix of colours and the wreath. Love it. x

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  15. *rubs my eyes to make sure I am seeing what I am really seeing*

    All this...for ME?!?!?!

    I don't even know what to say, Sunshine...there are no words that can express what your love and this most incredible ever gift means to me. For once, I am speechless.

    *just stares in awe and cries endless tears of joy*

    I am truly the luckiest sis alive. I love you with my whole heart, Sunshine. You just made me the happiest girl on earth.

    *squishers you like never before and stares at my card forever*

    I LOVE YOU SOOOOOOOOO MUCH SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!!
    THANK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!

    *clings like super velcro cause I need to huggler you so monsterously right now*

    *wipes away more tears* I am sooooo lucky. *clings tighter*

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  16. Wow, Karen, this is you intimidated??!! Oh my gosh, this is so absolutely FABULOUS! That ribbon weaving is stunning! What an amazing card - you are so talented my super-sparkly friend :D LOVE it!!

    Lisa
    http://indymermaid.blogspot.com

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  17. I love the ribbon wreath and I love the way you used your scraps! Beautiful work! Melanie

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  18. This is such a sweet card! The stitching looks great! So pretty! :)

    Karen
    craftedwithlovebykaren.blogspot.com

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  19. Hehehe....I LOVE reading your posts Karen! This turned out beautifully! Why all the fear? You are so talented! I love the patchwork design, like a warm cozy quilt! I see Christina loves it too!! Great job with your first WW card!
    Amber

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  20. Hi Karen! I just stopped by to make my rounds and your card is just beautiful....Funny thing is, I just posted a patchwork card minutes ago before having seen your card.
    I love your patchwork and the beautiful weaving. Beautiful job!

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  21. Beautiful card. I love the colors. You really pulled it off and made it look like a quilt. I really like how you put so much love into this. That ribbon wreath, wow, just fabulous. I HAVE to try it. Thanks for the wonderful inspiration and for the fantastic idea of using scraps. Great job with the challenge Karen!

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  22. This looks incredible! I love every detail! The background is such a great way to use scraps, and that ribbon is fantastic!!!! I want to try making one! :)
    Amy
    redheadedcrafter.blogspot.com

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  23. Awesome card! Nice job using your scraps. Your wreath is stunning! :)

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  24. oh my goodness this is just fabulous! i am in love with that wreath. a perfect card :)

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  25. Hello my dear Karen! This card is just lovely! What a pretty design you created with that ribbon! And you did the challenge perfectly! I have an award for you my sweet crafty friend! Come by my blog to pick it up! Hugs, Sabrina
    scrappinwithsabrina.blogspot.com

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  26. Karen, this is stunning!!! That wreath is absolutely breath-taking!!! I definitely would love to learn how to make this! I love your quilt idea...so pretty and love the words in too! TFS
    hugs,
    joni

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Thank you for leaving some love! Have a beautifully blessed day. :o)

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