MTTC Blog Challenge no 439 starting 21 August 2020 with Clean And Simple Theme

Welcome to Becca's Heart for Creativity blog! My artsy-crafty heart got a bit nervous again this week because it is very hard for me to keep my layout styling clean and simple. CAS is the acronym and can be seen in lots of crafters' postings and captions. My Time To Craft challenge blog's new fortnight theme #439 is keeping it clean and simple.

When you look at my slimline Christmas card your first thought is going to be how is this clean and simple?

Again, for me, it is extremely hard to get my creative mind corralled!!!!!!! Very difficult!!! Let me reveal the card next and then I'll give my design notes further in the post.

Red, white, and green Happy Holidays slimline card=

#439 MTTC's posting:
link= http://mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/08/challenge-439-clean-simple.html

Make sure to visit and see the fabulous restraint and brilliant interpretations of the other DT members. Take time to visit their individual blogs, too, and leave them some encouraging words. You can also read details about how to participate, deadline, bragging rights, and more at MTTC.

Design notes on creating this slimline Christmas card and some of the vendors:
a. Green cardstock base folded at top edge; business envelope width and depth; approx. 9.25" width and 4. 25" depth
b. dotted patterned paper = The Paper Studio; approx. 9.00" x 4"
c. the red cardstock panel (and the green CS) = Neenah; approx. 8. 25" x 3.25"
d. 3 washi tapes; 2 narrow ones are from Pen + Gear; the wide dark green is from My Mind's Eye [and it is now all used up...bummer]
e. row of green gems were easy to use because it is 1 full strip that I just had to lift and transfer onto the red panel
f. the green glitter foam tree sticker was easy to apply
g. the Happy Holidays round tag was leftover from a page of tags that I printed 2 weeks ago. I just had to cut it from the honeycomb cardstock the freebie tags were printed on and then I decided to dry-sponge a bit of green acrylic paint around the edge of the tag. I wanted to reinforce the green hue.
h. that's it! from start to finish the card was made in about 30 minutes. Measuring and cutting the cardstocks and papers was the time consuming part of that half hour.
i. another reason this was easy to make and not time-consuming was that all the supplies were within a foot of where I was sitting! I didn't have to go digging or searching. These items have been used for other projects recently.

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This card will be shared on Facebook:
a. my personal profile page
b. The Seasonal Cardmaker group
c. Slimline Card Obsessed group
d. Paper, Paper, Paper & Design Team Calls group

and at these other challenge blogs:
1. Merry Little Christmas challenge blog; August 2020; Always Anything Christmas Goes theme
link- https://merrylittlechristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2020/08/mlccb-25-august-anything-christmas-goes.html

2. The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge blog; Anything Christmas Goes theme
link= http://thehollyandivychristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2020/08/challenge-77-anything-christmas-goes.html

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Crafting in the USA heartland,
Becca S

Design Team member:
1. MTTC; fortnightly every other Friday
2. A Place to Start; monthly starting on the 1st Monday of each month
3. Createful Heart Design; NEW for me in September; monthly

MTTC Blog Challenge no 438 Travel Theme starts 7 August 2020

Welcome to Becca's Heart for Creativity blog! Oh my artsy crafty heart is super excited about this travel theme card! This is for a DT commitment with My Time To Craft challenge blog and the new fortnight challenge theme is travel. Travel-related elements are probably one of the fewest topics in patterned papers or embellishments that I have. But I dug around and found some stash that is a mix of old and new.

Explore and Navigate This Beautiful Life Journey card=

Link to MTTC's #438 challenge=
#438 http://mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/08/challenge-438-travel.html


so additional scanned cropped photos:

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Some supply and design notes:
a. my sister does not like when I put staples on a card but occasionally I like using them for adhering as well as adding some texture...
b. this time that's what I needed--adhering and texturing for 2 colors of cording
c. the top 3 word stickers are from the "Treasure Map" Word Stickers from October Afternoon [OLD]
d. The section of cardstock with the hot air balloons is from My Mind's Eye [OLD]
e. "Thinking of You" dazzle is from Paper Wishes [NEW]
f. the bottom 3 stickers are from "Seaside Retreat" phrase and word stickers sheet from Webster Pages [NEW]
g. the small size (4" x 5.5") flat card base with a matching envelope is from Darice [NEW]
h. some silver glitter paint pen around the inside edge of the hot air balloon paper

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Find this card shared at these other challenge blogs and Facebook groups:

a. Aud Sentiments #257 Anything Goes + a sentiment;
link= https://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/2020/08/257-anything-goes-sentiment.html

b. Mix It Up challenge blog #40 Anything Goes (w/ option of embossing)
link= https://mixitupchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/08/miucb-40-anything-goes-embossing.html

c. Little Red Wagon challenge blog #561 Happy Days theme; [my card has a no pun intended--uplifting look to it with the hot air balloons !!!; soft to mid-tone colors; the playful banners in the patterned cardstock and even more fun with the attached cording!!]
link= http://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/2020/08/challenge-561-happy-days.html

d. Mixed Media Creativity group on Facebook; (besides cardstocks and stickers, I've used a foil sentiment 'dazzle', cording, staples)

e. Paper, Paper, Paper & Design Team Calls group on Facebook; a sharing site for crafty bloggers

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Crafting in the USA heartland,
Becca S

Design Team member for these 3:

a. MTTC
b. APTS
c. 52 CCT

July 2020 Week 2 Color Challenge DT card for 52 CCT Blog

Welcome to Becca's Heart for Creativity! This should be our 26th challenge and since I've made 2 cards for some previous weeks I think I have at least 30 made and today's should get me to 32! Couldn't resist trying to different sketch layouts for the "all-white" color palette selected by the July hostess Fabiola!!!

52 CCT blog's 2nd week of July challenge rotation is color and this time it is to be all-white! Black is allowed for sentiment only per her instructions.

#26-20 Elegant white Celebrate Christmas cards:

#1= there is a large poinsettia impressed from the back side with white color pencil lines going over it, so click on the photo to get a zoomed photo to see some of that....

#2= absolutely all white!!!

Link= https://52cct.blogspot.com/2020/07/july-colour-challenge.html

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other challenge blogs and Facebook groups where I'll share these cards:

a. MLCC blog #24
link= https://merrylittlechristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2020/07/mlccb-24-july-anything-christmas-goes.html

b. PPCC; anything goes (as long as it is paper-crafting related)
link= http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.com/2020/07/pennys-challenge-475.html

c. Mixed Media Creativity group on Facebook;
mediums include a variety of cardstocks; glitter decorative tape; crystal gems; glitter foam snowflakes; "Celebrate" dazzles (from Paper Wishes website) in black glossy paper and white glossy paper; white colored pencil;

d. Paper, Paper, Paper and Design Team Calls group on Facebook


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Crafting in the USA heartland,
Becca S

Design team member for these challenge blogs:
1. 52 CCT
2. A Place To Start
3. My Time To Craft

former DT member:
a. Scrapping 4 fun Challenges
b. The Crafter's Cafe Challenges
c. Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges
d. Hiding in My Craft Room

Stay safe and healthy!

June 2020 Week 3 theme challenge of snowflakes for no 23 at 52 CCT blog

Welcome to Becca's Heart for Creativity blog! My artsy-crafty heart is super excited to share this great trifecta of a Christmas card! At 52 Christmas Card Throwdown each week of the month (we take 5th weeks off) the challenges rotate. Week 1 is a sketch. Week 2 is a color(s). Week 3 is a theme or recipe. Week 4 is a technique or a stash. This is Week 3 and as hostess I picked "snowflakes" to be the theme.

The trifecta is that I used Week's 1 sketch, Week's 2 color trio, and Week's 3 snowflakes theme. The combination has made a very glamorous non-traditional Christmas card!

Pink, Purple, and Gold NOEL Christmas card=

Link for 52 CCT blog's #23-20=
https://52cct.blogspot.com/2020/06/june-theme-challenge.html

Please note:
It is my desire to combine the previous June challenges together for my #23-20 design team project. I wanted to see if I could creatively put together a card from items out of my stash without going out and buying something new.

This is not a blog requirement. This is just my own creative motivation for this week. Here are the 2 previous June challenge badges in case you've just discovered my blog or 52 CCT blog (or have forgotten due to the craziness of modern life!)=

below: the sketch layout that was to be followed for June Week 1=

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a few more cropped scanned photos=

Supply notes:
a. purple cardstock base = Neenah
b. patterned paper = bought in a 3 set paper pad at Dollar Tree
c. the 3 different sized pink and/or purple stickers are from a Sticker Book by Pen + Gear/Walmart
d. snowflake-type medallions = I think were bought at Dollar Tree; due to their slick plastic surface, the card shifted on the scanner glass! ugh....
e. gold glitter decorative tape = ?
f. the pink modern script lettering stickers = were bought at Dollar Tree

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other challenge blogs and FB groups where the main full card photo and/or blog posting will be shared=

a. Merry Little Christmas Challenge blog; #23; June 2020 Anything Christmas Goes theme
link= https://merrylittlechristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2020/06/mlccb-23-june-anything-christmas-goes.html

b. Mixed Media Creativity group in Facebook; different mediums used: paper, cardstock, stickers; gold glitter paint pen,

c. Paper, Paper, Paper & Design Team Calls group in Facebook;

d. Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges blog; #473 June 11- for a fortnight; Anything Goes using paper theme; link= http://pennyschallenges.blogspot.com/2020/06/pennys-challenge-473.html


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Crafting in the USA heartland,
Becca S

DT member for these 4:
1. 52 CCT
2. APTS blog
3. MTTC blog
4. TCCC blog (for 1 more week)
[6/19/2020 is last day of commitment with the DT for Scrapping 4 fun Challenges blog; it was a great 6-7 months being part of the team!]

Food Stuffs Theme Challenge starts 15 May 2020 for MTTC blog

Welcome to Becca's Heart for Creativity blog! For this particular post, my heart's desire are these new-to-me food gardening theme items I procured recently that are shown on this card. It was quick and easy to put together. There are actually 4 different vendors' products used! More on that later in the blog. Every other Friday, My Time To Craft challenge blog has a new theme of competition to reveal #432 and today it's food!

Preserve the moments in life and/or from the garden card:

link for #432 at MTTC challenge blog= http://mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/05/challenge-432-food-stuffs.html


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Design notes about the products and vendors for my inspiration card for the DT crew:
a. The 'preserves' and word stickers are from Webster Pages
b. The sage green diagonal line washi tape is from Heidi Swapp (2017) of American Crafts
c. The 'fresh' and 'herbs' washi tapes are from Lilly and Val (2018) which is Hampton Arts
d. The sage green flat card base (with a matching envelope) are from Darice
e. and disregard the damask paper; it is from The Paper Studio but it's not part of the card; I'm just using it to block the scanner light

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a few more cropped scans of the card:

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A few places in social media and blog-world where I'll either share this post's link or a card photo:

a. Crafty Sentiments Design challenge blog; current challenge with theme of Anything Goes started 12 May 2020
link= https://craftysentiments.blogspot.com/2020/05/anything-goes-challenge_12.html

b. 613 Avenue Create challenge blog; #233; Anything Goes theme with optional twist of diamonds and lace; this card is just the anything goes part of the challenge
link= https://avenue613.blogspot.com/2020/05/challenge-233-anything-goes-woptional.html

c. PPPDTC group on Facebook

d. Mixed Media Creativity group in Facebook; 3 washi tapes; word stickers; journaling card used for the focal
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EDIT: I spent about 45 minutes one day this week putting together a set of quick and easy thinking of you cards for some ladies I wanted to thank. I kept the layouts almost the same for washi tapes but varied the base flat cards and their decorative tapes and most of the stickers. So about 7 minutes from start to finish using up some old stickers and printed sentiments:

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Crafting in the USA heartland,
Becca S

besides the DT crew for MTTC challenge blog, I am also on these four:

1. S4fC blog
2. TCCC blog
3. 52 CCT blog (in June it will be my turn to be hostess for each week's challenge!)
4. APTS blog

and in June I'll be GD for Counterfeit Kit Challenge blog!!!

Copy Cat Kit for April 2020 in mini size with 3 projects for CKC Blog

Welcome to Becca's Heart for Creativity blog! My heart has desired to do some scrapbooking but it's been several months since I've even achieved one layout! Yikes! So a couple of days ago I grabbed some old scraps and bits leftover from different projects this past year and quickly put together a mini kit.

But honestly I forget to include some of the embellishments I had set aside to my left side when I was working! Another yikes! Then it seemed like I needed a few other bits to finish 2 sides of a pocket page and a quick-n-easy card.

But first of all, here are 2 snapshots of my mini kit for April 2020 @ CKC blog=

Above: the scraps of different sizes I pulled focusing on a few shades of coral, pinks, a few reds, mint greens, spring/yellow greens, grass green, and some minty/teal blues.

Below: a quick card--flat style--with base and matching envelope from Darice; a journal/pocket card from a cut apart sheet from My Mind's Eye, a bit of border sticker, and 1 butterfly stick-on. A handwritten short note on the back and I was able to get it made and ready to mail in under a half hour! (closer to 15 minutes actually!)

Below: the scraps without the photos and some embellishments that were laying on top; I think for pulling stuff quickly out of various folders to create a mini kit of scraps, I managed to get a lot of the tones matched! Yea!

The monthly inspiration kit selected to counterfeit at CKC blog:

Below: this is a custom color palette to help isolate the key hues from Orchard Path Kits March 2020 picked to be the inspiration for scrappers to copy=

CKC blog badge:
April 2, 2020 "Just the Gist" post link=
https://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/2020/04/april-2020-just-gist-of-it.html

Some views of each side of the pocket page I made. I kept it simple so that attention would be on the photos and the stacked die-cut style stick-on embellishments.

Some of the vendors of papers include: The Paper Studio/Hobby Lobby, SEI, My Mind's Eye, Astrobrights solid color cardstocks, and a few old, old stash ones that I've forgotten who they belong to.

Golf cart pic and the birds nest treats were taken Easter weekend 2018.

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The pocket pages were used for a DT project that I featured in a blog post yesterday for Scrapping 4 fun Challenges blog. Only the "Bird's nest treats" side is part of the S4fC blog post. For my personal post yesterday there are closeup typed cropped scans of both sides included. So either visit S4fC blog or use the 'older post' link at the end of this to see more and get specific details about this link-up.

CKC blog got a 'shout-out' and I used the same link for the April 2 "Just the Gist" post as I've included up above.

This posting will also be shared at PPPDTC group on Facebook and also Mixed Media Creativity group on FB.

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Crafting in the USA heartland,
Becca S
DT member for the following blogs:
1. S4fC
2. TCCC
3. MTTC
4. APTS
5. 52 CCT

April 2020 Week 1 or Thirteenth Week of the Year for 52 CCT blog

52 CCT April 2020 Week 1 = sketch challenge

Hello! Welcome to Becca's Heart for Creativity blog! During the autumn months of 2019, I yearned to be a bit more disciplined management-wise to create Christmas cards throughout the year so that I wouldn't be panicked in December. I was thrilled when 52 CCT accepted me onto the design team for 2020. So it's incredible to think that this is already my 13th card made for my stash and for the blog!

4 old patterned papers from a paper pad collection were pulled out of storage because of their reds or greens. The stacked tag was actually made for last week's Christmas card but it was too competing in colors and number of foil snowflakes on it. (upcycling a gift tag bought in 2018)...timing is everything, don't you think?!?!! It's perfect for this mix:

The sketch was rotated 180 degrees and I used the tag shape instead of a circle. I added the row of gems because I felt it either needed a stamped sentiment or something like a row of gems...just can't quite do CAS layouts....

#13 for 2020 @ 52 CCT blog
link= https://52cct.blogspot.com/2020/04/april-sketch-challenge.html

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other challenge blogs and Facebook groups where you will see this card or this posting=
a. The 12 Months of Christmas Link-Up; #64; theme is Anything Christmas Goes; optional twist of blooms; I'm not sure if the design in the background patterned paper would be considered a floral...I'll let their DT decide.....
link- http://12monthsofchristmaslinkup.blogspot.com/2020/04/challenge-64-opt-twistblooming.html

b. Merry Little Christmas Challenge; #21; Anything Christmas Goes;
link- https://merrylittlechristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2020/04/mlccb-21-april-anything-christmas-goes.html

c. Paper, Paper, Paper, & DT Calls group in Facebook

d. Mixed Media Creativity group in Facebook

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Crafting in the USA heartland,
Becca S

DT member of 52 Christmas Card Throwdown and these other 4 challenge blogs:
*A Place To Start
*My Time to Craft
*Scrapping 4 fun Challenges
*The Crafter's Café Challenges

Winter Holiday theme for December 2019 at A Place To Start challenge blog

Another Christmas 2019 card: I've made a wintery Christmas card without a true cover sentiment due to the very large reindeer focal for my design team project commitment for APTS. The mix of patterned papers are also placed in a different format in order to emphasize the sloped angle of the reindeer's legs and curved antlers.

Here is the unusual card for my resident designer status at APTS=

All 3 patterned papers are available from The Paper Studio/Hobby Lobby. The deer and snowflake were part of a larger set bought at a dollar store. "hello, dear" sticker is also from a set of stickers that I purchased last year at Christmas-time at Hobby Lobby. Base card is kraft paper.

APTS December 2019 post= any wintery holiday theme (Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, etc.)

link= https://hereisaplacetostart.blogspot.com/2019/12/december-challenge-happy-holidays.html

use the above link to get all the details, see recognized crafter's from the previous month's link-up time, and see what the current guest designers and resident designers have prepared for December

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other challenge blog(s) and Facebook sites where I will link or share this card=

a. Jingle Belles: use their blog header as theme inspiration--so I've focused on using the reindeer & a snowflake
link= http://jinglebellesrock.blogspot.com/2019/11/jingle-belles-header-inspired.html

b. The 12 Months of Christmas Link-Up= my card is just a regular Christmas entry
link= https://12monthsofchristmaslinkup.blogspot.com/2019/12/challenge-60-opt-twistlayer-it-up.html

c. Paper, Paper, Paper & Design Team Calls group on Facebook; a sharing site for crafting bloggers

d. my personal profile on Facebook

ID badges for JB and 12 M of C=

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Still crafting in the USA heartland,

Becca S of Becca's Heart for Creativity blog

Flora or Fauna theme Card 2 DT project for TCCC blog

for the new fortnight challenge at The Crafter's Café Challenge blog there are several theme options of flora, fauna and/or use of a pocket...

this is my card #2 and is larger than card #1 plus it is colored differently (make sure to see the previous posting!!!)=

link= https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/2019/11/231-flora-andor-fauna-or-pocket-add-to.html

Above: my DT member ID badge for TCCC

Below: the ID badge for CBotL and the 2nd sponsor for prizes and other provided images for 1/2 of the team is ADU=

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other challenges or Facebook sites=

a. Use Your Stuff #382= red, brown, and gold theme

link= http://useyourstuff.blogspot.com/2019/11/challenge-382-use-red-brown-gold-on.html

b. Scrapping 4 Fun = Give Thanks

link= https://scrapping4funchallenges.blogspot.com/2019/11/challenge-153-thanksgivingthank.html

c. PPPDTC group on Facebook

d. my personal profile page on Facebook

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Crafting in the USA heartland,
Becca S