Tuesday, February 14, 2012

BBA February Challenge and Our Team Giveaway

Happy Valentine's Day!
Whether or not you are in a committed relationship, I hope that you are loved today.

The Challenge
The February BBA Challenge is to create a love themed item.  You can read more about it here.  If you've been reading this blog for longer a week and/or have checked in with my Etsy shop any time during the past month, you know that I've created a lot of love themed items the past couple months.  My love of hearts took over, and I went crazy for Valentine's Day.

My Valentine's Day shop section is still going strong through tonight so you can check out what's new over there.  I won't recap about any of those items for you.  Instead, for the challenge, I'm going to share some of my newest card designs that I haven't listed yet.
When I started brainstorming card ideas at the end of 2011, I decided that I wanted to design a line of The Office cards.  I don't discuss The Office on here very much, but it's been one of my favorite TV shows for the last 4 years.  I could easily write a whole post about why I love this show, but for now suffice it to say that one of my favorite things about it is the characters and the dialogue.


I have mentioned a few times that I recently started sewing with paper.  I saw a few ideas for this on Pinterest and was immediately hooked.  I learned machine sewing basics many years ago.  Thankfully it's kind of like riding a bicycle so it is coming back to me.  As I become more comfortable with the machine, the sewing goes more quickly.

Anyway, I really love this 3D heart effect.  It is so easy to replicate this concept with any number of shapes.  I will be experimenting more with it in the future.  You'll have to trust me that the background is a beautiful deep purple.  I know that it looks almost black here.  Also, I used some of my new stamps from norajane.

I made a bunch of these (as well as a very similar anniversary version) and will be giving Jake one of them today.  If you know why this card is a fitting choice for him, you get a reward.  Not really.  Just bragging rights.


Thus far I've mostly focused on larger cards, but I'd like to develop more mini sets.  I know that my stitch work here is far from perfect, but I still love this concept and will keep practicing with it.  I think that it would be fun to offer designs that are similar to this for all different occasions.

Someday maybe I'll get inspired to learn how to do something with my sewing machine that's a little more practical.  I can only seem to take interest in sewing projects that are purely for aesthetics.

What have you been working on lately that has challenged you?

The Giveaway
Continuing with the BBA, if you have not already entered the February BBA Giveaway, please get over to the blog and enter!  Nancy and I decided that it would be fun to do a group giveaway and offer lots of smaller prizes.  Seven of our teammates decided to join us.
One lucky person will win all of the items pictured there.  The heart thumb tack set in the upper right hand corner is from me.  We want to encourage everyone to visit all of the participating shops so you can get a lot of extra entries for this giveaway by leaving comments with your favorite items from all of the different shops.

And finally, while I'm on the subject of the BBA, founding the team this fall is what inspired me to write this article.
New Article:
Looking for older articles?  Click here!

I included this post in Erika's It's a Wrap Link Party - 2/20/2012.

17 comments:

  1. I absolutely love that lead graphic - of the siamese cat. I clicked over to that shop and favorited it...

    Your 3-d card is quite fun....

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  2. oh neat, Rose.. I love the look of stitching on paper.. it brings it to another level.. Just so sweet looking! And I love the 3-d heart!

    Happy Valentines day!

    Oh.. and the Office.. LOVE, love LOVE... we definitely have the same TV taste, I think!! :)

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  3. Oh, I love how those quilt cards came out! As you practice and experiment further I'm sure you'll feel more comfortable with it. And thanks for the giveaway promo!

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  4. Well, it took awhile for blogger to let me leave a comment so finally...great challenge post. I think it is great you are playing with the sewing machine. I tried sewing paper and I did not 'like' it as much but I am wondering if it is because I have been sewing fabric things?
    And nice article.

    Erika
    Artful Rising

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  5. Happy Valentine's Day! Cute cards. I adore The Office, too. ^.^

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  6. Dear Rose, I just want to wish you a Very! Happy Valentine's Day! Blessings my dear, Catherine xo

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  7. I love the quilt cards. I love how stitching looks on paper. So cute.

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  8. Sewing paper always looks so cool. Maybe I'll have to give it a shot myself, now that my machine is being nice to me again. :-)

    Also, LOVE the office. I totally remember that episode, too.

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  9. Really like your quilt cards and that you're doing sewing projects "outside" the box! I'm very curious why that particular card is perfect for Jake. Do tell!

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  10. I love the 3D hearts and how the quilted cards came out! You are just so full of ideas! Happy Valentines Day to you and Jake!

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  11. the cards are great! Congrats. All your cards have been so wonderful- they don't look like they're done by a novice! Love the 3D {:-D

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  12. Rose, I previewed some of the Office cards at the party - and I love the sewn ones.

    Terrific.

    Happy Anniversary and Valentine's Day.

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  13. Photography is challenging for me in the winter months, since I live in a cold, gray climate. Love your creations! :)

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  14. Wonderful cards! I like the look of stitches on paper. Has a lovely crafty feel to it :)

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  15. Those patchwork cards are my favorites, I think! You could do quilt blocks out of paper, which would give you plenty of opportunities to play with your sewing machine. :-)

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  16. EEEEE I LOVE the Office!! Great quote and picture for that V-Day card! Thanks for linking up! :)

    Jamie
    For Love of Cupcakes

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