MTTCC #69 Joy To The World carol theme DT inspiration card for 15 September 2023

Welcome to Becca's Heart for Creativity blog! My heart is happy to take time to craft these Christmas cards based on the church caroling hymn "Joy To The World". I was the one on the design team to suggest this theme and thought it would present lots of artsy opportunities for crafters. But then even I got a bit stuck however a stash quest into my Christmas, journaling and farm country boxes resulted in these crafty mergers!

WHAT: My Time To Craft Christmas (MTTCC) #69 theme of "Joy To The World" 

WHEN: #69 starts September 15, 2023 and lasts 13 days

SHOW and TELL:

Card #1

1. vinyl sticker "always be joyful" = Creative Devotion

2. silver star stickers = Hot Off The Press

3. white foam snowflake stickers - Oriental Trading (?)

4. silver paint pen, seafoam blue/green cardstock base = Crafter's Closet

5. house print acrylic overlay- Webster Pages

6. teal-ish blue with white dots print cardstock = My Mind's Eye 

and

Card #2

1. blue cardstock base cut to 5" wide x 6" high = Crafter's Closet/Art Skills

2. village scene print paper = Martha Stewart

3. silver and white paint pens/markers = (new for me) 

4. globe sticker = 

5. joy with color splashes vinyl sticker = Creative Devotions

6. circular grid sticky note = ?

7. the light mint green with white dot cardstock scrap (used behind the globe) = My Mind's Eye

8. red ink pad to edge the papers; black marker to outline the papers/cardstocks; white thread = stash items

WHERE: My Time To Craft Christmas challenge blog #69 post link=

https://mytimetocraftchristmas.blogspot.com/2023/09/mttcc-69-theme-is-joy-to-world-caroling.html

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other challenge blogs to share/link are:

A. Creative Inspiration challenge blog; current; anything goes

link= https://creativeinspirationchallenges.blogspot.com/2023/09/creative-inspiration-challenges-6.html

B. Christmas Craft Creations; started on Sept 13; Metallics theme; both Christmas cards have silver metallic paint pen marker applied; 1st card also has silver foil stars; so I will show card #1

link= https://christmas-craft-creations.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-challenge-metallics.html

image= 

C. The 12 Months of Christmas Link-Up Challenges blog; current for Sept 2023; anything goes Christmas (option of baubles/ornaments); my cards are just AGC

link= http://12monthsofchristmaslinkup.blogspot.com/2023/09/challenge-104-anything-goes-christmas.html

D. Crafty Calendar Challenge blog; current for Sept 2023; anything goes

link= http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/2023/09/september-challenge-anything-goes.html

and FB groups: Scripturally Inspired Creativity group; Bible Journaling and Faith Art; Christian Card Makers - Women's Fellowship; PPPDTC; 

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Crafting in the USA heartland,

Becca S

*Besides MTTCC, I'm the DT/manager of MTTC which are both owned by Shell S. 

I co-own 2 challenge blogs with Leslie T = AACB and CBCB.

I own 4 challenge blogs= TFATU, HQCB, FQCB, and FQGS.

  

Artist Trading Coin project for DT no 223 at TCCC blog

ATCs can be artist trading card OR artist trading coin is a theme/prompt option for #223 at TCCC. The other option is animal. My selected image from 1 of the prize sponsor is an insect (Butterflies in Mason Jar).

ATCs are typically 2.5" x 3" and the coins about 3". Mine's enlarged to show the details=

The Crafter's Café Challenge blog ID badge looks similar to my personalized one (shown above).
Link for #223 of TCCC=  https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/2019/07/223.html

Prize sponsors who have also given images for the DT crew to feature, so make sure to look at the #223 post and see what those images are and how they were showcased!:

My image is from Scribbles Designs and the other sponsor is Eureka Stamps=

And there is a special challenge option for double participation with Double Trouble!

This fortnight we are linking up with Double Trouble
Check out the blog
https://doubletroublechallenge.blogspot.com/ 
If you also add your project to the Double Trouble Challenge you will increase your chance at a prize.


Themes

This fortnight's challenge is an easy one:

 "Animal and/or ATC"(Artist's Trading Card)

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Some design notes:

papers 1 & 4 were used for half circle backgrounds behind the focal digital image; these papers are referenced down below for Facebook groups 100 PPC and BYSS

Some more scanned enlargements:

Facebook groups or challenge blogs where this A.T.Coin will be shared=

a. 100 Pattern Papers Challenge group= the 2 half circle background patterned papers were added in mid-June to my 2019 selection to get used (see photo up above)

b. Bash Your Scrapbook Stash group= in June they had a Paper Pad Madness challenge, so finally about midway, I pulled a partial set of cardstocks, a partial set of large scrapbook papers, and partial pads of 2 small size types to bust...and I'm slowly getting there (see the photo up above related to the 2 half circle background patterned papers)

c. Paper, Paper, Paper & Design Team Calls group= sharing site for crafting bloggers

d. Mixed Media Creativity group= this is a group I started to showcase projects with a combo of supplies/artistic mediums used. This A.T. Coin has:

*thread

*digital image

*blue cardstock and 2 patterned papers

*markers and colored pencils used for coloring and edging details

*wood die-cut of butterfly

*gem dot stick-on

*black ink pad for edges of cardstock and papers

e. Lil Patch of Crafty Friends Challenge Blog= theme= anything goes #109; sorry this expired on Sunday the 14th

link= http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com/2019/07/challenge-109.html

f. Use Your Stuff challenge blog = theme= birds, bees, or butterflies #366; however this challenge ended on 7/13/19...bummer...my card was ready before then but I couldn't reveal it! I like their encouragement to not hoard supplies--need to use what you have before buying more--yes! :)

g. Scribbles Designs Challenge Blog= theme #79 Slice of Summer = http://scribblesdesignschallenge.blogspot.com/2019/07/challenge-79-slice-of-summer.html

Until next time!

From the USA heartland,

Becca S for Becca's Heart for Creativity 

Carol of the Birds theme Christmas card no 2 with black lettering

"When rose the eastern star, the birds came from afar...." song written by Joan Baez

Singing Christmas hymns and carols is a favorite way to express joy and merriment during the advent season! 

This card is sharing some merry with cute birds, glitter, and some mixed media embellishments:

3 challenges were combined to make this black-lettered version:

a. Jingle Belles 19:06 "Rockin' Robin" or use of any bird on Christmas/New Year holiday card

http://jinglebellesrock.blogspot.com/2019/03/rockin-robin.html

b. 12 Months of Christmas Link Up blog March 2019 challenge using 3 brads, buttons, and/or bows (or mix and match)

http://12monthsofchristmaslinkup.blogspot.com/2019/03/challenge-51-opt-twistbrads-buttons-bows.html

c. Sketchy Saturday #42 challenge by Laurel Seabrook Designs

https://laurelseabrookdesigns.blogspot.com/2019/03/sketchy-saturday-with-bit-of-brightness.html

sketch #42=

my sketch interpretation in card form with a slightly different angle than the top photo--

Design notes:

a. For Sk Sat= I have 3 sections created by 2 kraft snowflake accented tag labels (YES! So easy to apply!) with a sticky note type tag for the sentiment "MERRY"

b. Instead of the shamrock, I have a red glitter bow sticker in opposite location

c. I have a base cardstock (called "marshmallow" white) with a dark green watercolor/mottled cardstock section and a pink dot on red print paper section on top of that.

d. JB's theme was a bird and I have birds on the sticker and I stenciled the bird in the bottom section

e. 12 M of C theme was 3 of brads, buttons, and /or bows= I've used (1) black thread tied bow; (2) red glitter bow sticker; and (3) red glitter heart on gold clothespin that is acting like a brad fastener.

f. a subtle little difference I added for this card was to mark a little black dot in the center of all the white snowflakes on the kraft tag labels. So they are not daisies, they are actually snowflakes (I just have a lousy cell phone camera function!)

I love the mixed media approach to getting the challenges combined together. It has certainly made an unique Christmas card!

Becca S

Carol of the Birds theme Christmas card 1 in silver lettering

and heaven and nature sing

"When rose the eastern star, the birds came from afar...." song written by Joan Baez

3 challenges were combined to make this silver lettered version:

a. Jingle Belles 19:06 "Rockin' Robin" or use of any bird on Christmas/New Year holiday card

http://jinglebellesrock.blogspot.com/2019/03/rockin-robin.html

b. 12 Months of Christmas Link Up blog March 2019 challenge using 3 brads, buttons, and/or bows (or mix and match)

http://12monthsofchristmaslinkup.blogspot.com/2019/03/challenge-51-opt-twistbrads-buttons-bows.html

c. Sketchy Saturday #42 challenge by Laurel Seabrook Designs

https://laurelseabrookdesigns.blogspot.com/2019/03/sketchy-saturday-with-bit-of-brightness.html

sketch #42=

my sketch interpretation in card form with a slightly different angle than the top photo--

Design notes:

a. For Sk Sat= I have 3 sections created by 2 kraft snowflake accented tag labels (YES! So easy to apply!) with a sticky note type tag for the sentiment "MERRY"

b. Instead of the shamrock, I have a red glitter bow sticker in about the same location

c. I have a base cardstock (called "marshmallow" white) with a dark green watercolor/mottled cardstock section and a pink dot on red print paper section on top of that.

d. JB's theme was a bird and I have birds on the sticker and I stenciled the bird in the top section

e. 12 M of C theme was 3 of brads, buttons, and /or bows= I've used (1) black thread tied bow; (2) red glitter bow sticker; and (3) red glitter heart on gold clothespin that is acting like a brad fastener.

I love the mixed media approach to getting the challenges combined together. It has certainly made an unique Christmas card!

Becca S

Birthday card made using 3 challenge prompts along with a challenge kit

Lucky U...Special Day...Happy Day...

We need a birthday card for this weekend, so LRW's #488 Boyz II Men challenge was a great opportunity to creatively add-in Inspired By's #63 Dish It Up prompt with photo image and a provided sketch image (if you want to use) along with UYS #350 Stitching--Real or Faux.

Little Red Wagon #488 Boyz II Men post for link-up=

https://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/2019/03/challenge-488-boyz-ii-men.html

Use Your Stuff #350 Stitching--Real or Faux post for link-up= 

http://useyourstuff.blogspot.com/2019/03/challenge-350-stitching-real-or-faux.html

Inspired By #63 challenge from Laurel Seabrook Designs link-up=

https://theseinspiredchallenges.blogspot.com/2019/03/inspired-by-dish-it-up.html

and a new addition to the IB challenges--Laurel is sharing a sketch design based on the photo prompt that you can use but aren't required...I was definitely inspired by this one but I didn't do a literal interpretation of it=

Design notes:

a. for UYS= fake stitching around the large circle and the darling circle embellishing with a super long length of black thread...a nod to the stitching theme

b. for LRW= no flowers or ribbons or anything fru-fru

c. for IB= my nod to the dishes are the many round shapes; colors of green, white, and blue

d. sketch= I added the large circle for visual interest then instead of 2 columns of same size circles I decided to have nesting type sizes and to layer up

e. seasonal/holiday= nod to St. Patrick's Day with the shamrock and coin stickers

f. 3 of the papers are in my new March 2019 CKC blog kit and the others have been in my scraps bag or leftover paper from previous CKC kits; and they all started out in my 100 PPC's 2019 starter kit

Here's some photos shown in a post from this morning so you can spot a few of the patterned papers:

Suppliers:

a. green watercolor/mottled base cardstock and 2 of the white and blue patterned papers = Colorbok

b. pale blue stripe paper and blue on cream dot paper = The Paper Studio

c. other papers = ?

d. the washi/paper tape strip = My Mind's Eye Splendor collection 2018

e. gold glitter tape and 2 sets of alpha stickers = ?

f. shamrock and gold coin stickers = ?; bought last year

g. black thread = from my sewing basket

I love how this all came together! The colors, mix of prints, nods to the challenges make this an interesting birthday card for anyone. Below is the 'sibling' card made at the same time. Instead of tracing 1 circle on each patterned paper, two did the trick. I just tweaked the layout arrangement and some of the embellishments to make a difference between them.

Crafting in the USA heartland,

Becca S

Three combined challenges IB 63 and LRW 488 and UYS 350 into 1 guys card

Special Day...Happy Day...

We need a birthday card next month for my husband's brother-in-law, so LRW's #488 Boyz II Men challenge was a great opportunity to creatively add-in Inspired By's #63 Dish It Up prompt with photo image and a provided sketch image if you want to use along with UYS #350 Stitching--Real or Faux.

Little Red Wagon #488 Boyz II Men post for link-up=

https://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/2019/03/challenge-488-boyz-ii-men.html

Use Your Stuff #350 Stitching--Real or Faux post for link-up= 

http://useyourstuff.blogspot.com/2019/03/challenge-350-stitching-real-or-faux.html

Inspired By #63 challenge from Laurel Seabrook Designs link-up=

https://theseinspiredchallenges.blogspot.com/2019/03/inspired-by-dish-it-up.html

and a new addition to the IB challenges--Laurel is sharing a sketch design based on the photo prompt that you can use but aren't required...I was definitely inspired by this one but I didn't do a literal interpretation of it=

Design notes:
a. for UYS= fake stitching around the large circle and the darling circle embellishing with a super long length of black thread...a nod to the stitching theme
b. for LRW= no soft pastel colors; no flowers or ribbons or anything fru-fru
c. for IB= my nod to the dishes are the many round shapes; colors of green, white, and blue
d. sketch= I added the large circle for visual interest then instead of 2 columns of same size circles I decided to have nesting type sizes and to layer up
e. 3 of the papers are in my new March 2019 CKC blog kit and the others have been in my scraps bag or leftover paper from previous CKC kits; and they all started out in my 100 PPC's 2019 starter kit

Suppliers:
a. green watercolor/mottled base cardstock and 2 of the white and blue patterned papers = Colorbok
b. pale blue stripe paper and blue on cream dot paper = The Paper Studio
c. other papers = ?
d. the washi/paper tape strip = Dear Lizzy/American Crafts
e. stamp and gold metallic ink pad = Hampton Arts
f. shamrock sticker = ?; bought last year
g. black thread = from my sewing basket

I love how this all came together! The colors, mix of prints, nods to the challenges make this an interesting birthday card for anyone.

Crafting in the USA heartland,
Becca S

JJJ etc group on facebook june swap items and extras

Junk Journal Junkies ETC.

June swaps include:
*altered jumbo paperclips (3) of any theme
*tags (5) in red, white, and blue and can be any theme

I'm still working on a few more extras to send along to my recipients but the bulk of the required items are made. These are such a departure from my recent 6-7 months focus on greeting cards! I've started a Bible art journal that has some stencil highlights but I need to add to it on a better timely basis. I've started a small upcycled journal that was converted from a word search puzzle book but again I need to add to it on a better timely basis. And I've even started a small scrapbook binder (6" x 8") about 2 weeks ago with 1 lone entry...but again I need to add to it on a better timely basis!!!!

Notice a pattern....here are these terrific journaling additions that will be going to 2 lucky group members:

In this above photo, the green floral wrap is an extra along with the Texas theme ATC and the 2 little aqua blue gem clips. The coloring book panel with purple satin button stick-ons has a hidden black coated jumbo clip. The butterfly napkin mod-podged with 2 colors of glitter and text add-ons has a gold jumbo clip with multi strands of sulky threads tied on top of the clip. And the pink, purple, and light mint green four layer altered jumbo add-ons have a white coated clip tied on with the 3 featured colors in baker's twine. This recipient did share that a current journal project focuses on trees and greenery so I tried to do garden and nature themes for the clips and the wrap.

The tags are made from a variety of materials, styles, shades and tones of blues, reds, and whites, sizes, etc. Not knowing the current projects or interests of the tags' recipient, I've raided my new and old stock supplies to come up with the mixed media tags.

Super busy crafting in the USA heartland, Becca S

new blog and challenge undertaking

Ribbon Carousel's latest challenge, RCC7, is to include music along with an item that comes from a spool (thread, twine, ribbon, etc).

For a teacher thank you card, I used the chorus portion of the hymn "Count Your Blessings" that I copied onto a light blue linen parchment paper. It's mounted onto light blue cardstock and then placed onto the background pattern paper (DCWV or Colorbok, not sure, since I deconstructed the paper pack).

I used blue satin ribbon in one corner and white string bow in opposite corner. There's also white thread tied on the button.

The layout design is simple and clean. On the inside there's another button with white thread.

Here's what the card looks like outside and inside: