Open-Minded Crafting Fun January Challenge #1

Good morning everyone! It has been a busy week. Bailey had a Lacrosse meeting Thursday morning.Michael had his wisdom teeth removed on Thursday. He did well.. he only had to have a large incision on one of them. This next week will be busy too. Bailey has Lacrosse conditioning Tuesday through Thursday this week and next week too. After that they begin Lacrosse practices Monday through Friday each week. Kevin has a doctor appointment with the Neurologist on Monday to do a nerve test of some sort. Taylor has an Eye appointment on Tuesday to do some sort of testing. It will be a full week in deed. I hope you all have a great week ahead!!

I'm so excited for the very first Monthly Challenge at Open-Minded Crafting Fun! Our very first challenge starts today. Challenges will start on the 10th of each month. Our first challenge is Something New. So, we want to see new items, new products, anything that is new to you or even a new technique that you've wanted to try, something like that. Make sure you tell us what it is. We will get some awesome ideas from you all like we always do!

We have wonderful sponsors for January and we want to thank you all for the wonderful sponsorship and generosity each of you show:



Unfortunately, Smeared Ink has shut down and they will be missed.

Here is my card for this challenge:








This is New Year Birdie from Doodle Pantry. And for my New, I have done two things... I have made a shaker card.. and I've used one of my dies to do this. I have also used the Spotlight Technique which I have been wanting to try and kept putting it off. This was the perfect opportunity to try it out :)  So, that is exactly what I did. I colored my spotlight sections with my Copic Markers. I've used Spellbinders dies for the circles used as the spotlights. I've used a My Favorite Things die for the circles on the side that make up the shaker part of the card. I've used small glass balls and sequin in the shaker. I've also added three different colors of twine. I've braided some of these. That is it from me! I can't wait to see what you all come up with this month!  The challenge will end on February 9th and the winners and DT Favorites will be posted on February 20th. The next challenge will start on February 10th.

Copic Colors Used:

• Bird: W1, E41, E43, B91, B95, B97
• Tree Trunk: E33, E35, E39
• Horn and Hat: YG07, YG17, YG67
• Hat: C3, C5, C7, C9; R22, R24, R29
• Confetti: V12, V15, V17; RV21, RV23, RV29; Y11, Y15, Y18; YG07, YG17, YG67; R22, R24, R29; YR02, YR04, YR07
• Bird Leg and Feet: N3, N5, N7, N9

Challenges:

• Challenge #293: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Craft Your Passion Challenges.
• Something New (New Year) (1) @ Simon Says Stamp & Show
• Anything Goes (1/3) @ Crafty Sentiments Designs Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #119: Anything Goes (8) @ Deep Ocean Challenge Blog.
• January 5th-11th: Anything Goes (1/2) @ Through The Craft Room Door.
• Challenge #40: Anything Goes (2/3) @ CCC Digi Creations
• Challenge #53: Anything Goes (1/2) @ Crafty Gals Corner.
• Challenge #286: Something New (New Year) (1/1) @ Fab 'n' Funky Challenges.
• Challenge #67: Anything Goes (1) @ Inspiration Destination.
• Anything Goes (2) @ Moo-Mania and More.
• Challenge #230: Punches and/or Dies (1/3) @ The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #217: Anything Goes (1/5) @ Word Art Wednesday.
• Anything Goes (2/3) @ As You Like It Challenge.
• Challenge #13: Something new (New Year; New Technique) (1/3) @ Cardz 4 Galz
• December/January Challenge #82: Something Old, Something New (2) (Old: Twine, Beads, Sequin/New: Techniques/Paper) @ Creatalicious Challenges
• Challenge #407: Hey, What's New? (Techniques) (1) @ Cute Card Thursday.
• Challenge #40: Something New (1/3) @ Dies R Us Challenge Blog
• Challenge #171: New Year (1/3) @ DL.Art
• Challenge #253: Something New (1) @ Stampavie and More.
• Challenge #140: Square Cards (2/3) @ The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog
• January Challenge #6: Anything Goes/Celebrations (1/3) @ The Crafty Addicts
• Pets/Animals (1/2) @ The Outlawz Twisted Thursday*
• Challenge #11: Anything Goes (2) @ A Bit More Time To Craft
• Challenge #180: Anything Goes (1/2) @ Brown Sugar Challenge Blog
• FFC #120: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Jo's Scrap Shack
• Polar Bear Plunge Day/Bird Day/Bean Day/Bubble Bath Day (1/3) @ The Outlawz Festive Friday Challenge
• It's New To You (Techniques) (1/3) @ Digi Designs Challenge Blog
• Challenge #25: Anything Goes (2/3) @ Lil Patch Of Crafty Friends
• Challenge #218: S-t-r-e-t-c-h Yourselves (1) @ Opus Gluei
• Anything Goes (1/3) @ That Craft Place Ltd Challenge Blog
• Something Old/Something New (Old: Twine,Beads,Sequin/New: Paper/Techniques) (1) @ Crafty Boots Challenge
• New (New Year) (1/3) @ Cuttlebug Mania
• Challenge #134: Everything Goes (1) @ Fairytale Challenge
• Challenge #6: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Lemon Shortbread Challenge Blog
• Challenge #84: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Creative Moments
• IIC #281: All Things New (New Year) (1) @ Inky Impressions Challenges
• Challenge #120: Show Us Something New (1) @ Ruby's Rainbow Challenges
• New To YOU (Technique) (1/3) @ Art At Stampz by Star
• Challenge #6: Happy Anything (1/3) @ Craft Rocket Challenges
• Spots & Dots (1/3) @ Moving Along With The Times
• Challenge #100: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Creative Fingers Challenge Blog
• Challenge $57: Anything Goes (1/4) @ Scrapping4Fun Challenges
• New For You (1/3) @ Spellbinding Stamps By Nikki Burnette
• January Challenge #33: New Beginnings (1/1) @ Crafting Musketeers Challenge Blog
• January: Something New (1/3) @ Crafty Calendar Challenge
• January Challenge #1: Anything Goes (1/2) @ The Paper Nest Dolls Challenges
• January Showcase #6: Anything Goes (2) @ 2 Creative Chicks
• January: Anything Goes w/Patterned Paper (2) @ Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge
• January Challenge #13: Anything Goes (1/1) @ Doodle Pantry Blog
• January Challenge #11: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Crafting With An Attitude

Thanksgiving Basket*

Good morning everyone! And a very Happy Monday!!  Monday.. already Monday! I can't believe it. I'm off to work soon, in the rain! I'm not sure I remember what the sun is! And I LOVE the rain, but man... this has been a bit of rain! LOL  So, I have a lot of gear to get on because of the cold and the rain. I don't want to be cold and I don't want to be wet when I get to work! And this is definitely a full face helmet day. Those rain drops feel like needles hitting you, especially in the face! I hope you all have a wonderful day!! I will be busy at work and counting down the minutes to get home LOL  Have a great day!!

Here is my card for today:







For this card I've used Harvest Basket from Imagine That! This is the Digital Image of the Month for Imagine That! I've used the color image for this card. It is absolutely beautiful! I cut around the image with a Spellbinders circle cut and then inked the edges. The rest of the card was cut using the Silhouette Cameo. I've added some leaves and flowers along the bottom. I've added a bit of twine and that Life's Blessing charm on the side. This is a fun rocker card. I really love some of these fun circle rocker cards. On the inside I've added some dew drops. All of the papers are scraps. I love being able to use scraps to get these cards done. I've done really well using scraps this year!

Challenges:

• Challenge #1: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Lemon Shortbread Challenge Blog.
• Anything Goes (3/5) @ Papertake Weekly Challenges.
• November 3rd-9th: Anything Goes (2/2) @ Through The Craft Room Door.
• Challenge #44: Autumn Hues (1/2) @ Crafty Gals Corner*
• Challenge #58: Anything Goes @ Inspiration Destination.
• Thanks/Thanksgiving @ Simon Says Stamp! Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #226: Layer On Layer (2/3) @ The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #208: Anything Goes (2/5) @ Word Art Wednesday.
• Pick 3 (use a digi, flowers, charm) (2/3) @ Art At Stampz by Star.
• CCEE1545: Look For Circles @ CCEE Stampers.
• Challenge #398: Food/Drink @ Cute Card Thursday.
• Challenge #199: Pile It High! @ D R S Designs Rubber Stamps.
• Challenge #05: Use Something Old (flowers, leaves, ink, dew drops)(2/3) @ Julia Spiri Digital Stamps Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #151: Flowers @ Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge.
• Challenge #97: Anything Goes (2/3) @ Creative Fingers Challenge Blog.
• November: Cooking/Food (1/1) @ The Outlawz / Friday Color Challenge.
• November Anything Goes (2/3) @ Catch The Bug Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #36: Anything Goes (2/3) @ CCC Digi Creations.
• Challenge #36: Fall (1/3) @ Dies R Us Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #105: Anything Goes w/Twist of Blue and White @ Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #149: Anything Goes w/Optional RAK (2/3) @ 613 Avenue Create.
• Challenge #7: Anything Goes @ A Bit More Time To Craft.
• Challenge #21: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Lil Patch of Crafty Friends.
• Challenge #29: Autumn (1/3) @ Paradise of Stamps*
• Retarte 64: Anything Goes @ Stamp Art Papel Retarte.
• Challenge #44: Bingo (Patterned Paper, Flowers, Die Cut) (2/5) @ AUD Sentiments Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #167: Fall Food (1/3) @ DL.Art.
• Challenge #10: Anything Goes (2/3) @ Crafting With Friends.
• Challenge #51: Anything Goes (2/3) @ Creative Craft Cottage.
• Challenge #11: Thanks or Thankful (1/3) @ Morgan's Art World.
• Week #45: Autumn/Fall Colours (1/2) @ Polkadoodles*
• Challenge #98: Give Thanks (1/3) @ Simply Create Too.
• Challenge #17: Anything Goes (2/3) @ Simply Paper Craft Challenges.
• November Challenge #118: Anything Goes w/Optional Twist of Autumn (1/3) @ DigiStamps4Joy.
• Kraft (1/3) @ That Craft Place Ltd Challenge Blog.
• November: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Crafting By Designs.
• November: Digi Of The Month @ Imagine That!.
• November: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Your Scrapbook Place.
• November Showcase #4: Anything Goes @ 2 Creative Chicks.
• November: Embellish (2/3) @ Crafty Time Challenges.
• November: Patterned Paper @ Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.
• November: Anything Goes Link Up @ Just Keep On Creating.
• November: Anything Goes @ Silhouette Challenges.
• November: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Sister Of Craft.
• November Challenge #4: Anything Goes/Use Die Cuts (1/3) @ The Crafty Addicts.
• November: Lots Of Layers (2/2) @ Whoopsidaisy Challenge.
• November Challenge #26: Anything Goes @ Not Just Cards Challenge Blog.
• November Challenge #32: Gratefulness @ Path of Positivity Challenge*
•  Gratefulness: I am so grateful for so much. I'm grateful for all the blessings in my life. I'm grateful for my wonderful husband, for my family, my kids, my job, my home, the food on my table each day. I'm thankful for being so blessed to have a wonderful hobby that I love. I'm happy. I'm grateful for that and I'm so very thankful for Jesus Christ in my life. There is so much to be grateful for.
• Challenge #287: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Craft Your Passion Challenges.
• Challenge #166: Colors Of Fall (1/3) @ Eureka Stamps*
• Many Thanks @ Make My Monday Weekly Challenge Blog.
• Tic Tac Toe (Digi, Die Cut, Fancy Fold) (1/2) @ Melonheadz Friends.

Kitty Christmas*

Good morning everyone!! It has been a heck of a month!!  I can't believe we are almost finished with October!!  That is just crazy! Halloween is a week away.. not that we celebrate LOL but a week away!!  My kids are too big now... they do parties or hang out with their friends. Michael will be working on Halloween! I'm sure that will be a busy day/evening!! With all of the kids activities and getting Open-Minded Crafting Fun ready for launch in January, it has been a busy month. Today is Bailey's last Fall Lacrosse game, so there won't be any running around to games for a bit.

Today I plan on just having a relaxing, craft and race filled day at home! Michael has to go to work later in the morning, but after that I shouldn't have to go anywhere! We have the V8 race today...qualifying, the Top 10 Shootout and one race I believe. Then we also have free practice 3 and 4 and qualifying for the MotoGP riders. It will be a great day!!

If you are interested in a Design Team, consider visiting Open-Minded Crafting Fun for the DT Call. We are looking for six (6) additional members. We would LOVE to have you come join our team!! One more week on the DT Call. It will end on the 31st.

Here is my card today:








This card uses Mistletoe Kitty from Imagine That!. This adorable little Christmas Cat is the October Digi Image of the Month. Hmmm... I just realized I forgot to glitter that bell! LOL I'll have to go back and do that! I added some poinsettia stickers on the top corner. All of the papers are from my scrap box. I made a scrap box of Christmas scraps LOL I thought I would go ahead and separate them so it would be easier for me to go through them. The papers are silver and black/gray. Off for Christmas colors. I added in the bit of red and green as well. The adorable Kitty is colored with my Copic Markers. I added a bit of twine and gems. Around the die cut cat I used some Aged Silver Embossing Powder from Stampendous. The die is from My Favorite Things. I also embossed the strip of silver with the twine wrapped around it. The stamps on the outside and inside are Fun 'N' Flair Stamps - "Miss Shayla at Christmas Time". I added a bit of glitter to the hat and I'm going to add that glitter to that bell too!! :D  Have a great day everyone!! And Thanks for looking!!

Copic Markers Used:

• Fur: YR20, YR21, YR23, YR14, YR24, YR27
• Cardinal: C5, C7, C9; R22, R24, R35, R29
• Berries: R22, R24, R29
• Hat: R22, R24, R35, R37, R29
• Collar and Leaves: G12, G14, G17
• Nose: R20, R22

 Challenges:

• Challenge #284: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Craft Your Passion Challenges.
• Challenge #10: Anything Goes (1/1) @ Doodle Pantry LLC Challenge Blog.
• October: Use Flowers or Brads (1/1) @ The Outlawz Greeting Card.
• Retarte #63: Anything Goes @ Stamp Art Papel Retarte.
• October 20th-26th: Anything Goes (2/2) @ Through The Craft Room Door.
• U is for Unusual Christmas Colours @ ABC Christmas Challenge.
• Get Ready For Christmas (2/5) @ Crafting By Designs.
• Challenge #56: Anything Goes @ Inspiration Destination.
• Challenge #250: Anything Goes (2/3) @ Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #206: Anything Goes (2/5) @ Word Art Wednesday.
• Challenge #6: Anything Goes @ A Bit More Time To Craft.
• Challenge #396: Anything Goes @ Cute Card Thursday.
• October Digi Of The Month @ Imagine That!.
• Challenge #169: Anything Goes (1/2) @ Brown Sugar Challenge Blog.
• HLS October Christmas: Poinsettia @ Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge.
• October: Anything Goes @ Just Keep On Crafting.
• Challenge #20: Anything Goes (3/3) @ Lil Patch of Crafty Friends.
• October Showcase #3: Anything Goes @ 2 Creative Chicks.
• October Challenge #32: Add Some Texture @ Country View Crafts Challenge.
• October: Anything Goes w/Patterned Paper @ Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenges.
• October: Anything Goes w/Loose Glitter, Embossing Powder, and/or Flocking (3/3) @ Sparkle N Sprinkle*
• October Challenge #25: Anything Goes @ Not Just Cards Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #8: Winter/Christmas (2/3) @ A Snowflakes Promise.
• Challenge #332: Anything Goes w/Optional Sketch @ Wednesday's Creative Inspirations Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #50: Anything Goes (2/3) @ Creative Craft Cottage.
• Challenge #9: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Crafting With Friends.
• Challenge #96: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Creative Fingers Challenge Blog.
• Week #43: Autumn / Xmas (1/2) @ Graph'It Colour Challenge.
• Challenge #20: 9 Weeks Til Christmas @ Paper Babe Stamps.
• Week #43: Add Sparkle, Bling or Glitter (1/2) @ Polkadoodles.
• Challenge #16: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Simply Paper Craft Challenges.
• October/November: Anything Goes (1/3) @ Petal Lu Challenge Blog.
• October/November Challenge #87: Fall Colours or Christmas (2/3) @ Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Challenges.

Fall Crate*

Good evening everyone! Time to start the weekend. The time off sure goes quickly! I'm hoping to just craft tomorrow and Sunday. We will see how that goes!! :)

Here is something a bit different today. I decided to make a crate:










For my little crate I have used Maggie's Apples from Imagine That!. I just love her :)  I've colored her with my Copic Markers and added a bit of layering. I've cut her with a circle and the scalloped circle is behind her. They are both Spellbinder Die Cuts. The sentiment was part of this wonderful set and that was cut using a My Favorite Things die. The circle and sentiment were inked with sepia as was the entire crate. I've used all scrap patterned papers on this creation and a bunch of kraft to cut the actual crate pieces with my Cameo. I added a little bit of twine to the tag on the one side. There are a couple of vine dies that are on the side, but I can't remember who I got those from.

Copic Markers Used:

• Cow Spots: N5, N7, N9
• Cow: R00, N0, N1, N3
• Apples: R24, R29, R59; YG61, YG63; 0
• Stems: E33, E37, E59
• Metal On Basket: C00, C1, C3
• Wood On Basket: E53, E55, E57
• Apple Leaves: YG05, YG09

Challenges:

• Challenge #109: Autumn @ Addicted To Stamps Challenge.
• Challenge #155: Use A Punch or Die Cut (3/3) @ Glitter n Sparkle Challenge Blog.
• PIO #87: Color Combination @ Pile It On!.
• Challenge #19: Quirky Animal Magic (2/3) @ Quirky Crafts Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #192: Fall @ Use Your Stuff.
• Challenge #4: Anything Goes @ A Bit More Time To Craft.
• Week #280: Fall Has Arrived @ City Crafter Challenge Blog*
• Autumn w/Stash of Leaves/Foliage (3/3) @ Clear It Out Challenge Blog.
• September DOTM: Maggie's Apples @ Imagine That!.
• September: Numbers @ Country View Crafts Challenge.
• Challenge #52: Anything Goes @ Inspiration Destination.
• Challenge #308: Happy Fall Y'all @ Little Red Wagon.
• Challenge #202: Anything Goes (5/5) @ Word Art Wednesday.
• September Showcase #2: Anything Goes @ 2 Creative Chicks.
• September: Anything But A Square or Rectangle (4/5) @ Craft For The Craic.
• September: Anything But A Card (1/3) @ Crafty Time Challenges.
• September: Anything w/Patterned Paper @ Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge.
• DTBST #300: Just Do It (Anything Goes (1/1) @ Sassy Studio Designs.
• September: Anything Goes @ Silhouette Challenge.
• Challenge #94: Anything Goes (2/3) @ Creative Fingers Challenge Blog.
• FFC #107: Anything Goes (2/3) @ Jo's Scrap Shack.
• Challenge #50: Spring/Autumn (4/4) @ Scrapping4Fun Challenges*
• September Challenge #24: Anything Goes @ Not Just Cards Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #113: Autumn @ Deep Ocean Challenge Blog.
• Challenge #165: Fall (2/3) @ DL Dot Art.
• Challenge #7: Anything Goes (2/3) @ Crafting With Friends.
• Challenge #95: Autumn Splendor (1/3) @ Simply Create Too.
• Challenge #14: Anything Goes (2/3) @ Simply Paper Craft Challenges.