Challenge #2: Halloween--Not A Card

Welcome to the second challenge on this new challenge blog.  We are so happy you've joined us and can't wait to see what you've created.  The theme for this two week challenge is:

HALLOWEEN--NOT A CARD

Prize for this challenge is a $5 Gift Certificate for SVG files
from the Creative Pointe's ON LINE STORE.
You'll find over 100 SVG files/sets available for all your paper crafting projects. 
Lots of free SVGs too!
Winner will be randomly chosen from all submissions.
One extra special entry will receive the"Creative Choice" button.



Ready for some spooky inspiration?  The Design Team TOTALLY out did themselves by providing TWELVE super spooky projects.  Let's take a look at what they created using SVG diecuts.  For more information and/or instructions, please click on their individual blog link.

Octavia from T's CORNER FOR SCRAPPIN'  went all-out creating three wonderful projects using HALLOWEEN SET TWO SVGs from The Creative Pointe.  Above are all the views from her "Trick or Treat Bag".  The Spider web, Spider Border, Fence and Haunted House are also SVGs (http://www.birdscards.com/).  The bag was pre-made (Michael’s).

Octavia made the scrapbook layout (above) and candy box (below) also using the "Halloween Set Two".  In addition, the page layout also used Fence (http://www.birdscards.com/) and Haunted Tree (www.svgcuts.com) SVGs.  She inked the edges of the paper (Recollections) with Stampabilities Black Pigment Ink Pad.  

The candy box used the Spider SVG from "Halloween Set Two".  It was cut and glitter flocked (Studio G).  Eyes are drops of Inksentials Enamel Accents.  Paper (The Paper Studio All Seasons Paper Pack) was adhered to a pre-made box with Yes Paste.  The ribbon was purchased at Michael’s

Victoria from PAPER SQUIRREL created this funky pumpkin friend.  She said "Oh boy, did I have fun with this one! Meet Mr. Steampunk'in and his friend Sir Crow! I started with a peat pot, a popsicle stick, and The Creative Pointe's "FALL SET" SVG file collection and the pieces just kept miraculously falling into place until Mr. Steampunk'in was complete!"

Cindy from THE CREATIVE POINTE created this creepy test tube holder using a file from Creations By AR .  She took the original file and modified the circle opening to fit the test tube she had (Martha Stewart) and also created and cut an arched piece to go behind the test tube.  "That's what I love about SCAL...I can take a file and rework it to fit my needs.  I get a truly custom piece!"
Cindy also used a Freebie file from The Creative Pointe-- BOO SPIDER FREEBIE.  For more details, please check out her blog.

Shelissa from SHELISSA'S CRAFT STUDIO created a cute and spooky favor bag using the HALLOWEEN SET TWO.  Any kid would be thrilled to receive their goodies in this!

Carolyn from GRANNY MA's CREATIVE BLOG felt that the "Not A Card" part WAS a challenge for her.  You'd never know it because she submitted three fabulous projects!  Above are cute cupcake toppers made with HALLOWEEN SET ONE and the newest freebie file, BOO SPIDER FREEBIE.  Here's how she made the toppers:  "Using my SCAL3 software I downsized the images to fit onto a Popsicle stick that I trimmed in half...you could use toothpicks but these flat sided Popsicle sticks work great and I found them in the craft area at Wal-Mart...where the cake decorations are sold. I ended up using adhesive on the stick to glue the figures on.... 2-sided tape did not work very well for me!!  The cupcakes I baked to "stage" the photo were enjoyed by my sister's co-workers!!"

Above Carolyn used the "Halloween" heading from the same SVG set to create a cupcake wrapper.  She said, "I used cardstock and paper from my Wal-Mart stash...but if I made these again, it would be just paper, I think. (Any ideas on that?!) I wanted to show the project before and after wrapping around a cupcake."

Carolyn also used HALLOWEEN SET ONE  to put together this awesome "Spirits of Halloween" scrapbook layout shown above.  Here's what she had to say:  "I surfed the Internet for inspiration and loved this layout so I decided to use ... thank you to whoever created the original...can't remember. (Need to write this info down...another idea to work on...an altered book for use here at the computer.)  Using SVG files from The Creative Pointe, I gathered my paper/cardstock from my Wal-Mart and Stampin! UP stash. I found a frame while surfing the Internet, saved, printed and cut from my Designing Edition for the Silhouette Cameo. Placed the orange background on the 12x12 page and placed the frame with acetate sheets (from the cover of my Cricut mat) as a glass window, and used foam tape to pop up the frame on each side and the bottom edge, leaving the top edge open to insert a photo. The witch, ghost, cat and Halloween title are Creative Pointe SVG files. Fence is from a Creative Kuts SVG file that I placed in the vitual mat, joined, then cut out. Pumpkin SVG is my file."

Penny from PENNY DUNCAN CREATIONS created a fun Halloween hanging using the HALLOWEEN SET TWO.  Here's what she had to say:  "I started off with picking a few of the files from the Creative Pointe  set.......then went from there...pulling in one of my spider web files and then my scary spider.......and then it all fell together....I cut all the pieces with my Silver Bullet Professional Cutter......and used some awesome papers......everything that has glitter on them I decided to cut with just regular black cardstock and put a layer of double sided adhesive on it which I get from Tyler at All That Jazz Supplies.....this is some awesome stuff!!!!  Cut the shapes out...then removed the top layer of the adhesive and coated with glitter......works PERFECTLY!!!!  

You'll notice on the tombstone piece I used Vintage Glitter...WOWZERS isn't that beautiful........love the affect....I was trying for an old stony looking headstone.......I kinda think it looks like it......for orange pieces.......(not the background piece) I used some Velvet paper from The Paper Temptress ....it was white and I colored them orange with a Dick Blick Alcohol Marker and it worked just as I had envisioned.....the pumpkin piece I ran through my embossing machine using a spider web folder.....really makes it look like a pumpkin texture don't you think!! ;)  all of the pieces I used some Walnut Stain Distressed Ink to give them more of an aged look.....
Check out the bat and the spooky spider....are they ADORABLE....I decided to use some of Tyler at All That Jazz Supplies' Black Velvet Paper......LOVE this stuff!!!!  I find  myself continuing to touch it cause I just LOVE the feel of it!!!!

So then I just layered layers and layered...used foam squares on everything.....added a couple of eyelets at the top so I could thread some ribbons through them and tie off....Voila!!!!  Completed......and a fun thing to have displayed.......So...Do you like it???????  I hope so......I think it makes you smile!!! Would LOVE to hear your thoughts!!!!"

Tina from TINA'S SCRAP CORNER  created this "Autumn Harvest" scrapbook layout using the heading from the FALL SET.  She gives the details:  "I created a 12 X 12 layout for the theme this time. The layered title plate was cut with SCAL v2 and a part of the Fall Set collection from Creative Pointe. This is a really cute set and could be used for a variety of layouts or cards. All the pieces were cut from scraps of cardstock on hand. The layout is pictures from 2008 of a good potato harvest that year. When the leaves start to change colors then we usually start harvesting white potatoes."

Last, but certainly not least, Pam from MZLAVR2's CREATIONS is showing us her spectacular Coffin Mini Album.  Pam used the COFFIN CARD file along with several cuts from the Silhouette Studio Store and SVG Cuts.  This project includes an Original Artwork Template designed by Kristi W. Designs.  Cutting File Pattern from KaDoodle Bug Designs.  (License number #KWMDPL28)

She has pictures of each page and you don't want to miss any of them so be sure and click over to her blog to see them.  Here's just one of them....notice how the tags fit behind the tombstones?  SO CUTE!

Challenge #1 Winners

Wow, what a great kick off to this new challenge blog we had!

We had 16 great entries although unfortunately, two were ineligible to win the prize.  Please be sure to submit only current projects (no back linking) and to use at least one SVG (or similar) file.  Cartridge cut projects are not eligible.  Thanks to everyone who entered and be sure to click on the "HOME" button for details on the current Challenge, which will always be the top post.

The randomly drawn winner of the $5 SVG Gift Certificate

from THE CREATIVE POINTE 

is

CISSY P

Please email Cindy at creative@avci.net to claim your Gift Certificate.

So many great projects, but after much consideration, 

the first recipient of the "Creative Choice" award is LISA 

who created this beautiful card:

Please grab button from above or email Cindy at creative@avci.net to claim your Button.

Challenge #1: Anything Goes

Welcome to the first challenge on this new SVG die cuts challenge blog.  We are so happy you've joined us and can't wait to see what you've created.  The theme for this two week challenge is:

ANYTHING GOES

Prize for this challenge is a $5 Gift Certificate for SVG files
from the Creative Pointe's ON LINE STORE.
You'll find over 100 SVG files/sets available for all your paper crafting projects. 
Lots of free SVGs too!
Winner will be randomly chosen from all submissions.
One extra special entry will receive the"Creative Choice" button.



Ready for some inspiration?  Let's take a look at what the Design Team created using SVG diecuts.  For more information and/or instructions, please click on their blog link.

Victoria from PAPER SQUIRREL crafted this gorgeous card using the "GIRLZ SET TWO" SVG set from The Creative Pointe.  Here's what she had to say:  "I just love the pretty pumps in this set! The vision for this card developed in my brain rather quickly:  a large shoe aligned along the bottom of the card with the card front cut away along the bottom edge of the shoe.  This cut away area reveals more pretty patterned paper and tissue tape accent on the inside of the card."  

Cindy from THE CREATIVE POINTE not only made this cute card, she also created the SVGs used on it! Here's what she had to say:  "I wanted a fun birthday card for a preschool nephew so I created my new western themed SVGs-- SADDLE UP SET and the SHERIFF'S BADGE FREEBIE.   I paired the diecuts with denim and bandanna papers and a "lasso" to pull the theme together.  More design details on my blog."

Shelissa from SHELISSA'S CRAFT STUDIO created this cute water bottle (front and back views shown) using the SCHOOL SET from The Creative Pointe and says: "It's back to school time and I had to put my sons name on a water bottle.  What better file to use then the back to school sign and the blackboard.  I used black, yellow, white and silver vinyl for this project."

Tina from TINA'S SCRAP CORNER made this cool "Enjoy the Ride" card for her Grandson's birthday and has the details for you:  "This card is 4.5" X 6.25". The background is attached to gray cardstock and it is from the DCWV Stack 7 pack. All cuts on the card was done with SCAL v2. The tire tread and rider is from The Creative Pointe's OFF ROAD SET cut out of black scraps and the gray came from DCWV Metallic stack. The letters were cut from a scrap piece of red cardstock I used the Impact font. I popped up the rider to give dimension to the card."

Penny from PENNY DUNCAN CREATIONS really had a lot of fun with this once she figured what she  wanted to do.  She started her idea off  with The Creative Pointe's ARTY ACCENTS as an element in the set made her think of when your windows are fogged or frosted up and you can't see out so you wipe or scrape the window  "So from there I knew I wanted a window of some kind.....so I drew this one and then decided I wanted a window box so I drew that as well......did the layers and put it all together......I saved all of my pieces and sent them to SCAL3.......and cut them all with my Silver Bullet Professional Cutter......(LOVE this machine).  Once I had the frame of the window cut...(which I used a file folder as the material) I coated it in Perfect Medium and then covered with embossing powder and heat embossed......looks like real wood...don't you think???.....Then I cut some acetate and glued with a Zig Pen to the window....then the layer of Vellum (which I got the Vellum from The Paper Temptress)....next I added the Garden scene behind that......adhered all that to a layer piece that is the same shape only I cut a Shadow layer of the shape to give a border around the window......At this point I put the window box together and then added foam squares to attach to the window box...so it would give it more of a 3D affect.......added some of my vines and then some of my coffee filter PDC Grungy Roses and coffee filter PDC Cala Lilies.........I also distressed the edges of the pieces with Tea Dye Distress Ink......Added some bird buttons I had in my stash......On the inside of the card I took a piece of lace border and colored quickly with the same Tea Dye Distress Ink and then attached to the inside of the card....added a bird button and some pearls from my stash...Then I used a Black Ultra Fine Sharpie and put it in the Pen Tool Holder that I got from Sherri at That's Scrap Inc. and used my Silver Bullet Professional Cutter to draw the phrase and then cut out the banner....distressed the edges with Tea Dye Distress Ink and added foam squares to attach to card.... and the card is complete!!!  I love the soft look of this card!!!!"

Carolyn from GRANNY MA's CREATIVE BLOG created a 2-page layout of her grandson, D.J., who is a Senior this year, is playing his favorite game:  Football.  "I used the FOOTBALL SET from The Creative Pointe which has several SVG pieces to cut and decorate a page or two of a scrapbook layout.  The football field is from Little Yellow Bicycle (obtained from the local small scrapbook store, Keepsakes).  Other card stock used in this project is from Wal-mart's Craft and Arts Dept.  I cut out the footballs and used them as the 'O' and the goal post replaces the 2 'L's" in ball.  I raised D.J.'s images with foam tape as well as the footballs.  Lettering created using SCAL3...Athletic Letters for the most part.  Silhouettes of the 2 football players cut out from Wal-mart cardstock ... black.  Found some stickers at the scrapbook store...used the scoreboard right above the goal posts.  This will go into my grandson's scrapbook that I will be filling up with memories of his Senior year in high school and present to him at his open house next June, 2013."

Octavia from T's CORNER FOR SCRAPPIN' created a "My Favorite Teacher Card" with SVG files from The Creative Pointe's  SCHOOL SET TWO.  "The edges of the apples were inked with Craft Smart Chocolate Brown ink.   Cri-Cut pens (red glitter) for the writing.  Font is Bernhard Fashion BT.  Paper is from DCWV High School Stack.  Apples were also decorated with Studio G glitter glue.  I also went a step further and put an apple on the inside of the card.  I only inked the edges."

To create this layout--"First Day of 5^th Grade", Octavia used the same "School Set Two" with the exception of the backpack.  That file, "Make the Grade" came from www.scrappingtable.com.  The paper is from DCWV's Grade School Stack and the red, black and white paper is from Recollections.  The font is Copper Black.  "I had so much fun coming up with this layout!"

Pam from MZLAVR2's CREATIONS took the perfume bottle from the GIRLZ--SET ONE and cleverly used it for a shaped card.  "This card is going to be sent to Operation Write Home. A soldier will be given this card to write to someone they miss.  I used paper from Basic Grey and Bo Bunny. The silver card stock and shiny vellum are scraps I had. The gem is Prima and the stamp is MSE Love Mini." 

Now it's your turn to show us what you've created!  Create any project using at least one SVG file.  Link up your project below and be sure to link back to this Challenge in your blog post.  Submissions accepted until September 23rd.  Winners announced on Monday, September 24th.  Have fun!!

One More Day Until First Challenge

Is your electronic cutter ready?!

Check back tomorrow for details on the very first Creative Cutting Challenge.

Two More Days Until First Challenge

CHALLENGE STARTS SEPTEMBER 10TH!

Three More Days Until First Challenge

CHALLENGE STARTS SEPTEMBER 10TH!

Meet the Design Team!

This group of creative ladies will be sharing their SVG projects with you for each Challenge.  You'll find lots of ideas and inspiration, so even  if you are unable to enter that week's challenge, be sure to stop by to see what they've created.

Carolyn

"I am a lady that enjoys crafting of anything.  I started with stamping, oh about six years ago by attending a Stampin Up party and from there grew into digital stamps, cutting svg files, using first a Cricut Personal cutter.  Have graduated to a Silhouette Cameo which I love.  I have created svg cut files for the enjoyment of it.  I also quilt and crochet and will starting a quilt for a granddaughter that will be getting married in 2013.  Enjoy reading good books...thrillers, spy novels (i.e. Tom Clancy, Clive Cussler and Robert Ludlum books).  And I will sit and watch reruns over and over again, such as NCIS, or one of the CIS series....lol
I am a widow with one son in the Army, serving in Korea for the next two years.  His family with him in Korea...a lot of skyping and chatting on Facebook.  They have two girls, Alexis 11 and Kassidy 8. 
I am a transplanted Hoosier from Warsaw, Indiana having married my husband who was originally from Indiana.  I have a step-daughter Sonya with three children; and a step-son with two girls.  Sonya has a step-daughter age 24, her daughter 22 and a boy 18.  Step-sons two girls age 23, married and has a 2 yr old little boy and another baby on the way.  Second daughter is 21 and so far single!!
I presently live with my sister in Alabama but miss the cold wintery days of Indiana...lol."
Visit Carolyn's Blog:  GRANNY MA'S CREATIVE BLOG

Cindy

"I've been a painter for over 20 years and had hesitated getting into papercrafting as I "already had enough hobbies",  but my sister became a Stampin' Up demonstrator and I received lots of product by helping her out hosting a party and then letting her pay off a washer with stamps! I basically just fiddled around making a few cards now and then.  Since I don't have kids I didn't think I "needed" to scrapbook. That all changed when my sisters, Mom and I created a scrapbook for my Dad's 70th birthday and I really enjoyed it. So...I made scrapbooks for my dogs!  And then for trips. Now I scrap everything that is meaningful to me. A few years ago I got a Cricut to make scrapping easier and then discovered Sure Cuts A Lot. What a revelation! I could make anything I wanted from paper! Now I design SVG files that I offer for free  and sell online.  An avid "Challenge Enter-er" (is that a word?  lol) I decided to create this new blog as I couldn't find any Challenges dedicated to SVG diecuts. 

I have a marketing degree and have worked in the newspaper business for almost 30 years.  I live "up in Northern Michigan" in the woods on a little lake...heaven on earth...with my hubby and bulldog Millie."

Visit Cindy's Blog:  THE CREATIVE POINTE

Octavia

"My name is Octavia Coleman.  I reside in Louisville, KY.  I am employed full time as an Administrative Assistant and just completed my Master's Degree in Management and Leadership earlier this year (yeah, me!).  I have two grown children and I have 11 grandchildren.  I started scrapbooking about 10 years ago and, of course, incorporated card making into that.  I was a scrapbook instructor for three years.  I love learning anything new about paper crafting.  I have made some good friends through crafting and I hope to make more.  If there was one word to describe me, it would be "SILLY".  I am known for my sense of humor and don't get me to laughing!......lol.  I am so excited to be a part of this group and I am looking forward to getting to know more avid crafters!"

Visit Octavia's Blog::  T's CORNER FOR SCRAPPIN'

Pam

"Hello, I am Pam and I have been crafting for many years. I started paper
crafting when an employee where I worked brought in a scrapbooking magazine.
I was in awe of all the fun paper and goodies! Since that time I have gotten
married to my wonderful and supportive husband John. Three years after we
got married we adopted two beautiful daughters. Since then I have become a
stay at home mom. I use all of my "free" time doing crafty things and
visiting with my friends. Other than that I am driving to the library,
sports practices, friends houses and more..."
Visit Pam's Blog:  MZLAVR2'S CREATIONS

Penny

"I've been a ARTist for approximately 30+ years and love the passion I have for it!! Some of my interests include...Computers, Digital Art, Paper crafts, Mixed Media, Crochet, Quilting...and the list goes on and on!! I am a wife to an amazing man...and a mom to 2 wonderful boys a grandmother to one.  They will always be my babies!!! :) I am, in the business world...an Administrative Assistant! I am a very strong Christian and proud to proclaim it!!!!  Very much a homebody and of all places I enjoy being most is in my ARTHaven creating!!!!"
Visit Penny's Blog:  PENNY DUNCAN CREATIONS

Shelissa

"I am a wife and mother to three boys. I love anything that involves crafts. I have been crafting since I was a little girl. I started making cards and favor bags a couple of years ago.  I have also started back using my 

Singer Futura sewing/embroidery machine to enhance my crafting skills. I work full-time for a large university in the human resources department where I enjoy event planning and crafting events that I plan to help the day go by faster."

Visit Shelissa's Blog: SHELISSA'S CRAFT STUDIO

Tina

"I've always been a crafter of some sort but scrapbooking started with a couple of friends introducing me to the craft in 2007 and I've been at it since. I always loved taking pictures but then I just put them in an album, but scrapbooking changed all that, it redefined for me how to present a photo. Cardmaking began for me when I took a class at my local scrapbook shop: Scrapin' with Kat. I so fell in love with this craft.  The newest rage is SMASH-another form of scrapbooking but in a different light. When I started it reminded me of the notebooks I did in Jr. High school of ideas like wedding dresses, the cute men at the time or home ideas where you smoosh them on the page any way you want with a little doodling besides. Some of my favorite products is my cricut, my SCAL program and my cuddlebug/big shot. They all seem to work together in my papercrafting, but I'm just now starting to get in the stamping side of cardmaking and enjoy that also. I like doing cardmaking, SMASHing and scrapping and I like learning new techniques with it. Scrapbooking and Smashing shows what is going on at the time, in a creative way. I feel a card I make myself really comes from the heart and is just more rewarding to give."

Visit Tina's Blog:  TINA'S SCRAP CORNER

Victoria

"I come from a “crafty” family and have felt the creative urge for as long as I can remember. From drawing and painting, to needlecrafts, I dabble in it all, but papercrafting is my passion. I also have a tendency to hoard away craft supplies and have been trying to overcome my aversion to cutting into the “good” paper...hence I am the Paper Squirrel! I love all things vintage and my creative style often reflects this, however, I am not hard and fast vintage. I also enjoy working with more modern and masculine themes, and often incorporate collage and altered objects into my projects. 

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design from Central Michigan University and have worked in various aspects of the home furnishings industry since 1998. Born and raised in Mid-Michigan, I now live in Southeast Michigan with my “boys”…two crazy cats that keep me laughing (and sighing). Oliver, my cranky older shorthair and Dodger, my orange tabby youngster. "

Visit Victoria's Blog:  PAPER SQUIRREL

Now that you've met the Design Team, I hope you'll be back Monday, September 10th for the Challenge Kick-Off.  I know you'll love seeing what this group of talented ladies will be presenting!

Six More Days Until First Challenge!

Six sleeps and then it will be time to cut, cut, cut your way to the Creative Choice award!

Just One More Week Until the First Challenge!

Just seven more days until the very first Challenge!

Cutters, get ready....