Challenge #147. Free for All.

 It's the end of 2012; time to reflect on the year passed and the approaching year.  In the spirit of that, let's inspire you to share some of your latest creations!  Anything goes, as long as you make it.

it is a

FREE FOR ALL

 

Electra   here - I haven't made a single thing all of December.  Waah.  So I felt a need to touch some paper and bling and colour and stuff and make something with no purpose whatsoever. I made three tags, but you will have to come over to my blog to see the other two.  I hope the coming year is full of health, prosperity and happiness for you all!

Deena here - I got this new stamp set just before Christmas and have been itching to use it...so much fun...of course Christmas and then the stomach flu for my girls (had to cancel my oldest's 13th birthday party an hour before it was to start - or it would have been a barfday party) got in the way of my creativity, but everyone seems sort of back on track today so I got it done at last!  Hope everyone had some wonderful holiday time and to a fabulous new year on the way!

Gini here
Happy New Year to you all, I hope it will be a very joyful, healthy and creative year for you :-)
I have Steampunk Fever at the moment so I made a triple twisted easel card for one of my sons. This is my most ambitious easel card to date. They are so easy to construct but look stunning, do give them a try if you haven't yet. Beate at Split Coast Stampers has done some wonderful video tutorials on YouTube.com regarding their construction.

Close up images and other info on my blog

Jana here and this time around I decided to go with the new year, new thoughts theme. Okay it really isn't a theme here, but this IS a FREE FOR ALL, so I guess it works. I decided to make a layout (digital) to document my new kickasstakenoprisoners attitude for 2013. Okay it really isn't that kind of attitude, but I am making changes. Enough of that, here it is:

It's a really bad picture of me, so that will get replaced, but I had to put something in there and this was the only one I could find. (Cuz I am organized like that.)




HAPPY NEW YEAR AND BEST WISHES FOR A SAFE,  HEALTHY, ARTY, AND CRAFTY 2013 FROM ALL THE POOBAHS HERE AT THE ORDER OF THE OPUS GLUEI!!!!

You have until the end of Saturday 13 January 2013 to join in with your fabulous creation celebrating anything you like! Add your blog post address to Mr Linky below.
If you would like to join in with a previous challenge we've set (life happens and lateness is absolutely fine, we don't mind a bit) just add your blog post address to Mr Linky below. Please make sure your blog post refers to the previous challenge you are entering so we don't get confused. 
We look forward to visiting you!

Challenge #146. Baby its cold outside.

Baby, it's cold outside...

 



We're asking you to take your favorite Christmas carol or other holiday song as the inspiration for your artistic creation!  You can also take the theme of frosty, wintry, snow weather and run with it to make your project, we're very open minded that way!
 
Rosemary here and once I got started with Christmas songs, I just well, went a little crazy.  I love Christmas songs and have been known to play them at other times of the year when I need a little Christmas, right this very minute....oops, see?

Okay, I created three cards.  The first is inspired by '(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays.'

 

Then I went elegant with 'O Christmas Tree.'

Finally, 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town.'  Love a little retro look...

 

Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas to one and all!!!

Electra   here  What can I say?  I live in Canada.  No problem with this theme!
I hope your Christmas is warm and toasty!!

Deena here  I went for the "Joy to the World" aspect with some frolicking reindeer to lighten the Christmas mood....my dad bought this stamp and die set for Christmas this year and I get to use it before Christmas!  Wahoozle!  Hope Santa is good to all of you this year!

You have until the end of Saturday 29 December to join in with your fabulous creation celebrating a Christmas Carol. Add your blog post address to Mr Linky below.
If you would like to join in with a previous challenge we've set (life happens and lateness is absolutely fine, we don't mind a bit) just add your blog post address to Mr Linky below. Please make sure your blog post refers to the previous challenge you are entering so we don't get confused. 
We look forward to visiting you!

Challenge #145. Monkey see, Monkey do.

Deena here - This was my idea of a challenge this time round, and if you don't like monkeys, you are in trouble!  I came up with the challenge because my awesome mother made us these sock monkey coffee cozies as a request for my birthday...

I think they are the cutest things ever, so I had to make a card to go along with them...here it is:

this is one of my most favorite stamps and sentiments...so true!  So grab a cup and join on in!
 Let's see what all the other wonderful poobahs have come up with for this challenge.

Rosemary here and I made a cheeky monkey card that seems perfect for reconnecting with an old friend!  Easily created with patterned papers and a Cricut cartridge!

Electra   here

Ohmygosh, this was a hard one for me!  I didn't have anything even remotely monkey-like in ALL of the gaziliions of embellies, papers, et al in my studio.

Nothing in the over 100,000 digital elements I have either.  What to do, what to do. 
(other than a scrapaholics anonymous meeting, of course)
GOOGLE, that's what.  
I know, it's kind of disturbing, isn't it?
Deets can be found on my blog.   If you want, that is.  :-)


You have until the end of Saturday 15 December to join in with your fabulous creation celebrating Monkeys. Add your blog post address to Mr Linky below.
If you would like to join in with a previous challenge we've set (life happens and lateness is absolutely fine, we don't mind a bit) just add your blog post address to Mr Linky below. Please make sure your blog post refers to the previous challenge you are entering so we don't get confused. 
We look forward to visiting you!

Challenge #144. Three-Dee.

Electra   here and I hope everybodeee is going to take part in this one!  The art you folks have been creating is so wonderful, and you can take that talent to a brand new level with this challenge.
Make something with more than one layer/level.
Something that maybe can sing and dance a jig.
Or a card with moving parts.
Or even a beautiful flat something that you wave around in the air!  You know how flexible we are here!
I made an album.
But I won't tire you by posting more than one photo of it here, you'll have to stop by my blog and see the deets.  This is just a teaser...

It doesn't sing, it doesn't dance, but it's different, wouldn't you agree?

 Let's see what all the other wonderful poobahs have come up with for this challenge.
 
Deena here - we have had such a busy week in our house, but this challenge timed right in to our stamp club card that is in the Stampin up catalogue...had to try it out...it will cost extra to mail, but was sure fun to make!

Gini here Oh I love this challenge Electra! I wanted to do fluttery 3D butterflies so I've put them on an Easel Card. Only their bodies are glued to the card so their wings can flutter freely.

Rosemary here and I want to share with you my 3-D creation, I made a tricycle out of baby items for my niece's baby shower.  Since we know she's having a boy, I used a lot of BLUE in my trike.  It was a little learning curve but thanks to a terrific tutorial I found on line, I think it turned out really cute.  I'll put the details on my personal blog if you'd like to learn to make your own!  Best part is that you'll have everyone oohing and ahhing and Mama can use all the components!

Jana here and I couldn't resist making something out of fabric. I made a basket. And filled it with some goodies for someone special.

You can find more details on my blog.

You have until the end of Saturday 1 December to join in with your fabulous creation celebrating a 3D project. Add your blog post address to Mr Linky below.
If you would like to join in with a previous challenge we've set (life happens and lateness is absolutely fine, we don't mind a bit) just add your blog post address to Mr Linky below. Please make sure your blog post refers to the previous challenge you are entering so we don't get confused. 
We look forward to visiting you!

Challenge #143. It figures.

Jana here challenging you all this week. I am leaving this one open to a couple of different choices. You can use figures (numbers) in your project OR you can use the silhouette of a figure (person, animal or thing). The rest is up to you.

I fell back on an old favorite this week. I made a bunch of bookmarks. Simple, quick and easy. I want to remind everyone that sometimes we can participate in challenges even if we have very little time.

I always have a book or two, or three, that I use to get inspiration and need to mark the spot, or spots.

So, I made bookmarks. It was easy. And pretty quick.

I have a bit more of an explanation and a template of shilouettes for you on my blog. The template has all of these figures and a few more.

Nothing too fancy. But they are cute and will make me smile. I have to keep reminding myself that every project doesn't have to be intricate and time consuming. Some can be fast and fabulous.

 Let's see what all the other wonderful poobahs have come up with for this challenge.
 

Deena here - I went for the silouhette part of the challenge...I have had these stamps for ever and barely ever use them, but I love them all the same...perfect opportunity to crack them out!

Gini here
What a fabulously flexible challenge this fortnight set by Jana - thank you!
I've made a card using Distress Inks in Picked Raspberry, Squeezed Lemon and Peacock Feathers with an tiny Octipode stamp of Alice and a background silhouette stamp of dandelion seed heads heat embossed in tinsel black. I just love the new bright colours available in Distress Inks...yummy!

Rosemary here and I made a Christmas memory box using a Tim Holtz Configurations box and lots of little decorations.  (I think the number 25 AND the use of snowmen counts!)

Electra here.  I'm late with my piece - down south playing with my grandson, who is the subject of this.  So I guess I may be excused.  Here we go:

You have until the end of Saturday 17 November to join in with your fabulous creation celebrating numbers and/or silhouettes. Add your blog post address to Mr Linky below.
If you would like to join in with a previous challenge we've set (life happens and lateness is absolutely fine, we don't mind a bit) just add your blog post address to Mr Linky below. Please make sure your blog post refers to the previous challenge you are entering so we don't get confused. 
We look forward to visiting you!

Challenge #142. I "leaf" it up to you!

WELCOME

It's time for the latest Order of the Opus Gluei challenge
(Challenge #142) entitled

I "LEAF" IT UP TO YOU

(be inspired with Leaves and/or Halloween)

Rosemary here and for this challenge I'm offering you a choice; create something wonderfully arty with leaves in it or channel your Halloween-ish creativeness with Things that Go BUMP in the Night! as your inspiration!   Funny, scary, macabre, vintage, clean and simple - you can't go wrong and you can have lots of fun in whatever media you choose to employ!  I 'Leaf' the choice up to YOU!

I'm still making cards - Operation Happiness is fully underway and the cards are a way to make me feel like I'm doing something in a difficult situation.  So.....I have (forgive me for the photography, it's awful) three cards to share with you.   You see, given a choice, I like to have a little of each.  Hmmm....interesting for crafting, terrible regarding ice cream.

Here's two leafy cards - one is done with a stencil I made using an acorn and oak leaves design from the Cricut that I then zentangled.  The other is stamped, colored with markers, embossed and placed against a deep teal background.

My Halloween card is brightly patterned Halloween paper jazzed up even more with dimensional stickers from Martha (is there anyone else) Stewart.

 Let's see what all the other wonderful poobahs have come up with for this challenge.
 
Jana here  - Fabric obsessed lately. And for this challenge I used fabric again. No kidding. Really I did. I made some coasters for the family room. We have been using some cork coasters that have seen better days. I finished a Halloween set and am almost finished with a set for Autumn. I used scraps from other projects for both sets.

 

All of the coasters are about 4.5 inches.

A little on the big side, but this way they fit the larger mugs too. 

 

Yes, my morning brew is much better tasting with this coaster under it.

 

I'll hand quilt some leaves or acorns in the yellow centers.

Electra   here - I did something digital.  (I know, what a surprise).  I used a photo I took not far from where I lived and added a bunch of stuff to it:

Deena here - mine is just a plain and simple birthday card with a little bling that has been hanging around in my stash for a little too long!  It was begging to be used....this is what I came up with:

You have until the end of Saturday 3 November to join in with your fabulous creation celebrating leaves and or all the things of Halloween.
Add your blog post address to Mr Linky below.
If you would like to join in with a previous challenge we've set (life happens and lateness is absolutely fine, we don't mind a bit) just add your blog post address to Mr Linky below. Please make sure your blog post refers to the previous challenge you are entering so we don't get confused. 
We look forward to visiting you!

Challenge #141. Colour challenge Turquoise and Red.

Gini here

It's my challenge this fortnight and it's one of my favourite colour schemes Turquoise and Red with black, white and Kraft as neutral colours.
Hopefully I can illustrate what a versatile colour combination this is.

Firstly just by changing the focus of main colour gives such different moods to cards using this colour scheme.
Here are 4 of the same design all with different main colours.

Click on any picture to make it bigger.

I think this colour scheme works wonders for Halloween.

It's also great for Christmas.

To make a teenage masculine card I used a Kraft Card blank and muted shades of turquoise and red and an Inkadinkado stamp set called circles and dots.

Well I couldn't not include my favourite fella now could I?
Wolf whistles please for Stampotique's Heart Throb.

What? You want more Heart Throb?
Oh go on then, seeing as it's you, he'll meet you under the mistletoe...

I hope I've managed to inspire you to use this colour combination!

(The stash used to make these cards are listed on my blog post.)

Let's see what all the other wonderful poobahs have come up with for this challenge.
 
Rosemary here and I totally agree with Gini - this is a color palette that lends itself to a lot of different moods and seasons.  Love her projects, they're gorgeous.

I went with a Christmas spirit to mine - when I saw the colors to be used, I immediately thought of red and blue birds on snow and beautiful blue skies.  I also felt like this vibrant palette lent itself nicely to a retro feel - sleek and stylized.  This is my interpretation and it was almost entirely done using the Cricut cartridge Winter Frolic. 

 Electra   here 

 It just so happens that our lovely Gini has chosen a colour combination which makes me very, very happy!  Never mind that what I have done makes no sense, it's what came out of a very happy place.  That's where we are Tommy-a very happy place!

Deena here - after seeing all of those fabulous creations above, I have to pick my jaw up from the floor and add in my card sets...I was pumped to see this colour combo by Gini the same day that my new box of scrapbooking stuff came in the mail - I just happened to order a paper pack in those colours without knowing that this challenge was coming up - the challenge gods were watching out over me ;)  I made 8 cards - all birthday - some girl and some boy....



Jana here. A bit late to the party. I decided to make a mug rug. A mug rug is an oversized coaster. Big enough for a drink and a snack. So, way better than a coaster. I pulled fabrics I thought would work and here it is:

***



You have until the end of Saturday 20 October to join in with your fabulous creation celebrating the colours red and turquoise including if you like white, black and kraft as neutrals. Add your blog post address to Mr Linky below.
If you would like to join in with a previous challenge we've set (life happens and lateness is absolutely fine, we don't mind a bit) just add your blog post address to Mr Linky below. Please make sure your blog post refers to the previous challenge you are entering so we don't get confused. 
We look forward to visiting you!

Challenge #140. A little sketchy.

This fortnight Kirsten has challenged us to use a sketch in our project.
You are not limited to making just cards or scrapbook layouts either although of course you can if you want to.
You might like to use a card sketch or scrapbook layout sketch to make something else, perhaps use one to decorate a gift bag or the top of a box, whatever you choose have fun making it!

 Let's see what all the other wonderful poobahs have come up with for this challenge.
 

Gini here

I don't very often use a sketch and my interpretations are usually very literal but not this time.
No, this time I paid the price of not thinking this through. Hmm.
Sooo once I realised just how difficult it is to get 3 separate square nestie die cuts to line up accurately; lots of maths and measuring.... I had a rethink and decided that Wonky is fun and hip and cool and wicked and... but to make it look properly wonky I started again and used my Wonky Rectangles nesties.

I also went back to the Retro Sketches challenge site and had a look again and lo and behold there is a PTI die that is three squares in a row, so that makes it easier. Not that I have it. So back to wonky.
But 100 hundred intrepid Retro Sketch card makers have done the calculations for the 3 in a row.
Kudos to them :-)

 
I spent ages cutting the apertures and then I forgot to mount the frame using dimension foam so you can't tell the wonky rectangles are apertures AND I also forgot the Butterfly element as I was FAR too busy fussing about the 3 in a row thing. Grr so let that be a lesson for us all to not sweat the small stuff or it'll all go pear shaped!

To make up for the missing butterfly element I added card candy in the bottom left corner as I couldn't think of anything that would work with the rest of the card, without it looking like a botch job, which is exactly what this card is but hey I can hide that if I put some more card candy in the top left corner to balance it maybe a bit better- but now I think it is illegal because I've deviated from the sketch too much!
Who knew card making could be this exciting?

Rosemary here and I enjoy sketches when I need inspiration, guidance, a template.  In fact, when I find sketches I keep a computer file of them for later reference.  One great source is Mojo Mondays , they have wonderful sketches and so I tried to find a really detailed one with plenty of layers to challenge me (this is from July 2012),

and here is what I created; it's super girly and has all the elements I like such as ribbon, bling, doilies and well, see for yourself...

Deena here - I love sketches, in fact, I think I am a sketch-a-holic...I don't know what makes them so addicting, but picking your own sketch to do is more difficult...I think I must like being told what to do because it was hard to pick a sketch -especially to add layers to it too...But I think I achieved the "layered look" with this project...in some areas I am 7 layers of paper thick...in most I am at least 4...the sketch is from Scrapbooks Etc. magazine....


 Electra here - I rarely use sketches, so this challenge was a challenge for me.  I did find a wonderful sketch that appealed to me and since I needed to make a Christmas card, I killed two birds with one stone, as it were, and made my Christmas card using the sketch.
 Here is the sketch:

 And here is my card:

 Isn't it cool how they match? duh



You have until the end of Saturday 6 October to join in with your fabulous creation celebrating a project based on a sketch. Add your blog post address to Mr Linky below.
If you would like to join in with a previous challenge we've set (life happens and lateness is absolutely fine, we don't mind a bit) just add your blog post address to Mr Linky below. Please make sure your blog post refers to the previous challenge you are entering so we don't get confused. 

We look forward to visiting you!