Discouraged

I didn't know what else to title this post.

-- All I know is as much as I like to blog and share what I've made, it's just so very discouraging that I have little to no interest by anyone in my blog.

-- I have tried... Everything.

-- I have posted to FB, to Twitter, to google plus, stumble upon and to Instagram, not to mention Pinterest. Seriously? How does one get a card they've made pinned 5k times??!?  Damn I can't get 5 let alone 5 thousand!

-- I've linked to challenges and even tried to start my own (yesterday, which so far as been completely ignored)

-- I've tried to share and promote other blogs and cards and ideas that I have found interesting to help other bloggers out as well.


-- The only comments I ever get are obligatory comments from challenge design teams, which are --nice...and appreciated; but still... Like I said, most of the time just obligatory.

-- I give credit to all the companies I use, I try to promote all types of products; but I'm just a SAHM with limited funds to purchase things. So yes, some of my stuff is older; but it still works...

-- I think maybe it's time to just give up the blog, cause really who cares if I blog or not??

PCC Challenge 1: Stamp it!

Hi Everyone!

I am so happy you've chosen to spend some time with me today!  I do have a card to share with you today; but before I get started with that, I wanted to tell you all about a new feature I'm adding to the blog here.

I've decided to add a bi-weekly challenge here for you all to share what you create. I love seeing what other people are doing out there in the crafting world. I get so much inspiration from other crafters and I hope by having these challenges, it will inspire you to stretch your creativity muscles as well and to be inspired as well.

I would love to have a few people willing to be on a design team for me just to provide inspiration for those who wish to participate in the challenge. The whole challenge thing is new to me as a blog owner, so I hope you would be willing to work with me a little while I figure it out! If you're interested in being part of the first design team, please put DT by your submission in the link up below.

In addition right now, the challenge is "just for fun" Unfortunately, I am not able to provide prizes at this time. If you are interested in possibly being a sponsor for future prizes, please contact me at jdshelton3@yahoo.com. 

Ok, so now that we have the introductory stuff out of the way, shall we get to the first challenge?!

Since September is often known as "Stamp"tember, for this first challenge, you can create anything you like as long as your project features at least one stamp. Feel free to use more; but at least one! (For this challenge, no digi stamps, please!)

Before I go, we do have to talk about a few rules. There aren't a lot, after all, I don't want to stifle your creativity by any means!  I will list them here, or you can read them by accessing the tab at the top of the page.

Rules:


1. You may use any stamp company or product you like. Digi stamps/ rubber stamps are acceptable, unless otherwise specified. 

2. Your project must be a Papercraft project of some kind: card, ATC, scrapbook layout, altered notebook, note holder etc

3. No backlinks!

4.You may enter up to 3 entries as long as they are all different.

5. Feel free to combine this challenge with as many others as you wish.

6. Not an actual rule; but if you would like to leave a comment on the two entries before your own, I am sure they would be much appreciated! 

7. Please provide a link back to the challenge here. 

Now, for my inspiration for you: I created a card using a fun stamp from Hero Arts and Basic Grey called "Sweet Threads Spirals" I stamped it on Neenah solar white 110lb card stock in Versamark Ink and then heat embossed it with white powder. I used my mini distress blenders to create an embossed resist background. I LOVE this color combination! I was so pleased with the the bright cheery results! 
For the "hello" sentiment at the bottom, I used Hero Arts "hello" and coordinating die cut. I stamped the top one in archival black ink and then die cut it. I then cut 3 more plain ones in white card stock and then stacked them all together to make a faux chipboard element. Then I added the small sentiment underneath. Finally, I added some some clear sequins in random places along the background for a bit of fun and bling! 

This challenge will run until Sept 20th.  Thank you again!

An InLinkz Link-up

Mojo Monday: Sunny Days

Hi Everyone!

I decided to play along with the sketch over at Mojo Monday, which I haven't done in quite a while. For this card, I relied a lot on some patterned papers which I chose from a 6x6 paper pad by American Crafts that I've had for a long time! I also used Spring Moss and Simply Chartreuse from PTI I used Verve's "Sunny Days" set which is one of the first Verve Stamp sets I ever bought; and one I still reach for quite often!

I stamped the larger flower with Vintage Photo distress ink and then used my Prismacolor pencils to color it in. I stamped the center flower in Lakeshores ink from Simon Says Stamp and the leaves from the set in Crushed Olive and Peeled Paint.

I distressed the edges of the large pattern background and then inked it up with some crushed olive ink and a mini blender. I added some Fire Brick ink to the red panel and cream panel behind the flower as well. I finished the card with a small button and some sequins.

That's all for me today! Have a great day; and be sure to come back tomorrow for a very special post!!

Challenges:

1. Crafty Sentiments Designs: Anything Goes
2. Lemon Shortbread Challenge: Anything Goes (second entry)
3. Sunny Day Crafting: Anything Goes
4. Through the Craft Room Door: Anything Goes

Supplies: The following contain affiliate links.

Fiskars SureCut Personal 12	Fiskars Personal Trimmer	*Tombow Adhesive Craft Stamp DISPENSER & REFILL Dot Pattern Runner 62143 Permanent	Tombow Stamp Runner Dot Adhesive Applicator + Refill, Clear, Value-Pack
American Crafts Paper Pad, 6 by 6-Inch, Crate Paper Farmhouse	Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils, Soft Core, 48 Pack	Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad VINTAGE PHOTO Ranger TIM19527	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Vintage Photo
Ranger DIS-27201 Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Wild Honey	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Peeled Paint	Distress ink: Peeled Paint	Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Fired Brick
Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad FIRED BRICK Ranger TIM20202	Simon Says Stamp Premium Dye Ink Pad LAKE SHORES ink059 Splash of Color	Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad CRUSHED OLIVE Ranger TIM27126	Ranger DIS-27126 Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Crushed Olive
*Martha Stewart MINI SCORING BOARD Score Craft Tool 42-05013 New 2012	Martha Stewart Crafts Mini Scoring Board	Swiss Dots Embossing Folder Provo Craft

InLinkz.com

Thank U So Very Much!

Hi Everyone!

I hope you're all having a fabulous holiday weekend! Thank you for taking some time to visit with me today. I won't keep you for long, I promise!

Today's card features products from Verve Stamps, Papertrey Ink and Simon Says Stamp. I started with some Neenah Desert Storm card stock and embossed the front with the Leaves Background Stamp from SSS in Versamark and white embossing powder. Then I used PTI's "Brushed Off" to stamp images over the leaves with Beanstalk Green, Audrey Blue and Coral Reef inks. I used a paper towel to just wipe off the ink off the embossed leaves to leave them white.

I used Verve Stamps "You and I" to make the sentiment panel. I stamped the "U" in Khaki ink from Simon Says Stamp and then the smaller sentiments in black. I added some ink to the edges before adhering the panel to the front of the card with some dimensional adhesive. Finally, I added some sequins to complete the card.

That's it for me! Have a fabulous day and I will see you again on Wednesday!

Challenges:

1. 613 Avenue Create: Anything Goes (optional twist--colors of fall)
2. Addicted to Stamps: Use a Stamp
3. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends: Anything Goes
4. Crafting From the Heart: Anything Goes
5. Craft Your Passion: Anything Goes
6. Simon Says Stamp: Stamp it!

Supplies: (the following are affiliate links meaning if you choose to purchase any of these items through these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you)

*Neenah Environment 80 LB SMOOTH DESERT STORM Paper Pack 25 Sheets Fiskars Personal Trimmer Fiskars SureCut Personal 12 Martha Stewart Crafts Mini Scoring Board *Martha Stewart MINI SCORING BOARD Score Craft Tool 42-05013 New 2012 *Tombow Adhesive Craft Stamp DISPENSER & REFILL Dot Pattern Runner 62143 Permanent Tombow Stamp Runner Dot Adhesive Applicator + Refill, Clear, Value-Pack Mini Misti Stamp Tool - The Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented RESERVE MINI MISTI PRECISION STAMPER Stamping Tool Kit mistimini Simon Says Cling Stamp LEAVES BACKGROUND sss101529 STAMPtember Tsukineko Versamark EMBOSS INK PAD Watermark VM-001 Tsukineko VM000001 Full-Size VersaMark Pigment Inkpad, 3-Inch X 2-Inch, Clear Simon Says Stamp Premium Dye Ink Pad BEANSTALK GREEN Ink028 Simon Says Stamp Premium Dye Ink Pad CORAL REEF Peach Ink027 *Simon Says Stamp Premium Dye Ink Pad AUDREY BLUE ink018 *Simon Says Stamp Premium Dye Ink Pad KHAKI ink014 Ranger AIP-31468 Archival Inkpad, Jet Black Ranger Archival Ink Pad JET BLACK AIP31468

InLinkz.com