October Challenge Week 1

I'm a bit late both with announcing last month's winners and starting off this month's challenge - so I'm going to do both at once!   Let's start with the new challenge:

It was hard to work out what to show for this challenge - this month we have a theme and the theme is ANYTHING BUT A CARD.   I thought it might be nice to give you some ideas for handmade gifts for Christmas so you could choose to make framed pictures, stamped candles, glassware etc etc and I will be giving you more ideas as the month goes on but if you can't manage something complex, then think scrapbook page or tag.   As long as it is NOT A CARD it counts!   You must still use at least ONE PRODUCT from the range we sell in STORE.

Here's our DT's first range of inspiration.  As Sarah has stepped down, I am thrilled to announce that Lydia has come back to join the team and is playing along today.

Lydia
Using Lawn Fawn's Snow Day & Twine and Hero Arts Green Hills Ink

Tara
Using Paper Smooches Dies - Wreath Builder, Holly, Foliage 2 and Merry Christmas
all simply layered on a large die cut circle and hung with twine to make a mini door wreath

Jenny

I have made a couple of simple jotter pads and decorated the front covers with Fall Florals and the Three Amigos... more details on my blog :)

As we're a bit late starting - we'll run the challenge longer this month so you have until 
10pm (GMT) on MONDAY 26TH OCTOBER
Link up on the challenge page when you're ready to play  http://makethedayspecialcards.blogspot.co.uk/p/challenges.html


NOW  - time for last months' winners!

Our overall winner and the winner of the £15 prize was GEMMA!

This bold geometric design was the perfect choice for the colours she picked - its a real knock-out!  A great one for those awkward guy cards too!!

Drop me a line to collect your prize Gemma.

Our two runners up this month were Wendy and Kate.

We loved the cute little bee buzzing over the stitched florals on Wendy's card - another bold design where the colour choice really makes it pop.    Kate's subtle gold shimmer gives a real touch of elegance to her design which really appealed to us.

Congrats ladies!

We can't wait to see what you come up with this month!

October Challenge, Week 2

Are you playing along with our challenge this month?  We're challenging you to try a new technique - it could be colouring, die cutting, paper piecing, stencilling, up-cycling, embossing, ribbon weaving - well the list is endless!   If there isn't anything new for you to try - just pull out something you've not done in a while and give it another go!

Here's a few of the DT with techniques they've tried.  There may be more details on their personal blogs - and possibly a tale or two of things that went wrong, just to show there is no need to be scared of a new technique!

Kate
Using the Inlaid die cutting technique

Keren
Using the Stained Mosaic Stamping technique

Tara
Using the Ombre Stencilling with Texture Paste technique

Once you've made your project - link it up here and don't forget to tell us what technique you've tried.  

October Challenge, Week 1

It's the first of the month so that means its time to launch our new challenge but first we have to announce the winners of last month's sketch challenge.......

Our winner this month was No3 - Jill with her adorable cupcake cutie!  We loved the stripes and texture and the mixed sentiment.  Drop me a line Jill and I'll get you your £15 voucher to spend in store ;-)

Our runners up were so hard to choose this month - you all rocked this sketch.  After much discussion we eventually settled on No 8 Kate and No 6 Yming.  We loved how Kate wrapped the flowers around the circular sentiment and we thought the way the robot was peeking out with his present was super cute!

Do take your winners badges ladies :-)

So what are we challenging you with this month?   Well it's all about techniques.   We'd like you to find a technique you've not tried before, or bring back a blast from the past and make it fresh and new again.  Don't be scared to give something a go - we all have disasters - trust me - I'll even share mine next week!

Please tell us what technique you've tried - we're giving you a brief description here on the blog but will have more details on our personal blogs so do pop by and visit us.

Jenny
 I've tried 'no-line' colouring with my Promarkers for the
first time using this cute turtle from Paper Smooches :0)

Louise

I have gone back to my roots a bit and gone for a grungy type of technique and gilded a panel of burlap and used Winnie and Walter stamps to finish.

Are they both great techniques?  We hope we've started to inspire you to give something new a go - we'll be back next week with 3 different techniques we've tried.   You have 3 whole weeks to play along and could win £15 to spend in store  - so what have you got to loose?

The linky to add your image once you've played will be on our challenges page until 22nd October.

Happy crafting!