{"id":2577,"date":"2015-04-06T00:00:25","date_gmt":"2015-04-06T04:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.simonsaysstampblog.com\/mondaychallenge\/?p=2577"},"modified":"2015-04-06T13:30:03","modified_gmt":"2015-04-06T17:30:03","slug":"a-is-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simonsaysstampblog.com\/mondaychallenge\/?p=2577","title":{"rendered":"A is for…"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apples, amethyst, April flowers, and art come to mind right off the bat, but for this challenge anything A inspired would be fabulous! Will you create with Avery Elle stamps? Use some American Crafts products? Perhaps you have an art stamp that is in need of use\u2026 however you\u2019re inspired by the letter that is our focus this week we hope you\u2019ll share with us!<\/p>\n

Barbara <\/a>realized that creating ATCs was my first step to realizing her true creative soul!<\/p>\n

\"A_Barbara\"<\/p>\n

When May suggested this theme, it was natural for me to start my project from there! My Distress in all possible forms, new stamps, new Mixed media dies <\/a>and my indispensable Manila<\/a> have an inspirational power. I created a series of four ATCs to celebrate the wonderful new Tim’s butterflies<\/a>, combining them with stamps and embellishments, using also one of my new favourite colors: Cracked Pistachio<\/a>! To me, they seem very appropriate for spring! I hope for you too!<\/em><\/p>\n

Suzz <\/a>decided to play with a new technique this week showcased in a series of arches.<\/p>\n

\"OLYMPUS<\/p>\n

I started with a series of arches which made me think of vintage cathedral windows. The artwork uses a faux stain glass window using the Stampers Anonymous Cracks<\/a> and black embossing powder<\/a>. The backdrop is weathered with Crackled Paint Rock Candy <\/a>and smearing Ranger Archival Watering Can<\/a> over the dried crackled surface. I love the end result and it sits on an easel in my craft room.<\/em><\/p>\n

Emma’s<\/a> “A” was inspired by her love of art.<\/p>\n

\"emma_a\"<\/p>\n

When I began thinking about this week’s challenge, I had so many ideas for the letter A but then I came across one of my favourite Tim Holtz quote stamps<\/a> and immediately knew that this was the stamp that was going to inspire my project for this week. The quote is stamped onto watercolour cardstock<\/a> and colour with Distress Marker pens including the gorgeous Cracked Pistachio<\/a> which has fast become my favourite colour in the Distress family. I layered the quote onto a backing of corrugated card<\/a> painted with Picket Fence Distress Paint<\/a> and added Idea-ology and painted pencils to complete the canvas.<\/em><\/p>\n

Meihsia<\/a> decided to use different adhesives to attache the embellishments on her art journal page.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Usually I use Gesso<\/a> or Glue Runner Adhesive<\/a> to adhere embellishments on my art journal page. On this page, I use Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue<\/a> to attach the die cut bird cage<\/a>. The stamped bird<\/a> and die cut leaves were attached using 3D Foam Squares<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Mona<\/a> was inspired to create a page in her art journal.<\/p>\n

\"A_Mona\"<\/p>\n

I embraced the letter A and created an abstract art journal page. For the background, I created a crackled<\/a> textured Bubbles and Bars<\/a> design. Once dry, I had a lot of fun spraying and misting using the following colors all beginning with the letter “A” ~ Antiqued Bronze<\/a> and Abandoned Coral <\/a>Distress Spray Stains and Amethyst Color Shine<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ashli<\/a> is taking this one personally…<\/p>\n

\"a_ashli\"<\/p>\n

I couldn’t resist… A is for Ashli, so I went for it! Using the Maggie Holmes Chipboard<\/a> pieces, along with a fabulous Maya Road Deer<\/a>, I scrapped up a little page about the things I am loving right now. A little watercolor<\/a> and some sequins finish it off!<\/em><\/p>\n

Sandra<\/a> was feeling artsy while making this card
\n\"\"
\n Love this new Anna<\/a> stamp from Prima, and wanted to make a card with it the minute I got it. I was feeling artsy and in the mood for some bright sprays like Vibrant Turquiose<\/a>, Bubblegum Pink<\/a> and Crushed Grape<\/a>, to make a amethyst purple background. I didn’t mask off the stamp, but used White Linen<\/a> and a Water Brush<\/a> to tone down some areas like her face and some of the elements to create some depth.<\/em><\/p>\n

Anna-Karin <\/a>made a watercolour canvas for her son.<\/p>\n

\"\"
\n A is the favourite letter of both myself and my son, and I knew he would love a canvas for his wall with many versions of the letter A. The background was watercoloured<\/a> and cut into squares. I used most of my alphabet <\/a>die sets to die cut letters, and also white embossed some of the letters<\/a>. The canvas was finished with a stamped sentiment<\/a>, some idea-ology pieces<\/a> and a few more die cuts<\/a> by Tim Holtz.<\/em><\/p>\n

Michelle<\/a> loves a happy mailbox.<\/p>\n

\"a_michelle\"<\/p>\n

It’s fun to receive surprises in the mail. It’s fun to send mail too, especially with Air Mail elements. The new Tim Holtz Correspondence Stamps<\/a> add realistic airmail images to all mail. I used the stamps to dress up some Watercolor<\/a> stamped postcards with Prima’s Pictionary<\/a> and Love Letter<\/a> stamps.<\/em><\/p>\n

Andrea<\/a> worked up an A-level Appetite when making this yummy treat banner.<\/p>\n

\"a_andrea\"<\/p>\n

If I got stranded on an island that had a donut factory, I think I’d wave off the rescue crews. I do love me some pastry and thought I’d pay tribute to desserts with this mini banner. I used some of Melissa Frances’ The Sweet Life Journaling Cards<\/a>, the Little B pennant die set<\/a> and some fabulous donut dies<\/a> from My Favorite Things.<\/em><\/p>\n

I (May<\/a>) went right into my art journal this week.<\/p>\n

\"mayf\"<\/p>\n

I love running wild in my art journal – where everything A-Z and beyond is possible! Taking a favorite Tim Holtz stencil<\/a>, gold paste<\/a>, and of course my beloved Dina Wakley bee stamp<\/a> I pondered taking flight on new adventures and trying new things. The results got a bit messy – and that is ok! That is what my art journal is here for, and why I’m glad I start my creative alphabet and adventures here.<\/p>\n

For more inspiration click on our design team’s blog links so you can see more photos (and full supply lists) for their projects. Leave them a little comment love while you’re there so they know how they’ve inspired you too, if you’re so inclined.<\/p>\n

\"50dollar_voucher_600px\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As always, Simon Says Stamp<\/a> is giving away a $50 gift voucher that will go to a random entry chosen by random generator. To qualify all you need to do is create a new project that ties in (in any way!) with our theme and post it, along with a link back to this challenge, and add a link here. This challenge will end at 11:59pm on Sunday April 12th Eastern time. We will also be choosing some of our entries to put in the spotlight – a special honor where we talk about why we loved that entry in particular and award a special badge too! For the full rules, read the “challenge rules” posted in the side-bar here on our blog.<\/p>\n

[raw] <\/p>\n