Challenges, Challenges, Challenges.

As I mentioned earlier the Sisterhood of Scrap (SOS) is having a birthday celebration this week. They post 2 challenges per day (a layout and a card) but not having the fastest scissors on the block I am happy just to do what I can at my own slooow pace.
Oh, but did I mention that they draw for a prize for each challenge - incentive for me to do more! The party lasts a week but we have until April 30th to complete and upload our projects.
Anyways, my first challenge I did was a card one. We were to stamp an image and then paper piece it on a card. I want to send a card to our little 1 yr. old grandson in Ontario so I 'borrowed' this idea from Marlene's blog.
I cut my BS Top-Notch die and embossed it with polka-dots. I then cut it in half to make the circus wagon - wheels were added with my circle punch and a border edge along the top finished it off. The lion was my stamped image. So I stamped it 3 times and coloured each section with my Stampin Writer markers. (they worked fine but I missed my Copics). I then cut each section by hand and used foam tape to give it dimension.
A simple banner sentiment was added and Voila - easy peasy and so dang cute!



And a closeup to show the layering.



The next challenge was as the name implies - a challenge! At least for me. Because it's their 4th birthday we had to use a photo of someone blowing out their birthday candles, 4 different patterned papers, 4 buttons, 4 brads, 4 flowers AND 4 balloons!
Now, any 4 of these is no problem - but ALL on one layout is just not me. So, I had to be inventive so it wouldn't look too cluttered looking.

This is what I came up with. (haha - look at hubby and me - those were the days!)



I had so much fun making the flowers. I found the tutorials on a blog and on youtube but stupid me never saved them! I'll find them though and let you know. Aren't they awesome!
(EDIT - okay HERE is the paper flower tutorial. When I made 8 petals I could not get it to space without gaps in between - so I placed them snugly together and added a 9th petal. You may have better luck than me - either way it turned out fine and looks good.
HERE is the rosette one - it calls for 8 scalloped circles which at first I did and LOVED but then I thought they looked too 'vintagey' to go with the more abstract design of the other flower so I removed some layers. Play with them to get the look you need. Tip: shape them while still damp - once dry they will remain as you formed them.)
I drew and cut the balloons freehand and added twine then used them to add the 'journaling'. I actually managed to fit everything in (there's 2 itty bitty buttons on either side of the nameplate of the banner. (I kind of screwed up the 'Happy Birthday' - I even used my stamp-a-ma-jig but it slipped and I was too lazy to reposition!)
Anyways it was fun - here's a couple closeups -





So, that's it for now. I think I'm about 5 challenges behind so far - lol.
I have Birthday, Baby Congrats, Easter and Mothers Day cards to make - so maybe I can incorporate some of this weeks challenges into them. I also have to make some Easter 'baskets' for the 'kids' - oh yeah, and make a journal for a friend.
Looks like hubby may be a scrap widow this week!

Catch you later folks - have a great week.