Friday, October 9, 2015

#51 - Apple Harvest Time

We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play".  Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!


At this time of the year the farmers are harvesting their crops to sell or store to feed their animals.  It is also the time of year that Apple Festivals are all over.  Have you ever been to an Apple Festival?  If not you are missing out as there is some great food to be had ~ candy apples, apple fritters, apple pie ~ just to name a few.  This week create a card using the colors of apples.  This can be red, green, yellow, or red and green.  You may even have some apples of other colors.  Be creative!

We look forward to seeing what you will create!  

In the meantime, here is some inspiration from our design team: 


Joni



 

Friday, October 2, 2015

# 50 - Spooky Nights

We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play".  Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

Halloween is quickly approaching.  All the little ghosts and goblins will be visiting our doors in hopes of getting a treat.  Don't trick us!!  This week show us a cute treat you can pass out to those special visitors.  We look forward to seeing what you will create!  

In the meantime, here is some inspiration from our design team: 

Joni















Friday, September 25, 2015

# 49 - It's All About The Bass!

We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play".  Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

Are you familiar with the Meghan Trainor song "It's All About the Bass"?  In the song she talks about not worrying about the size.  Well this is true for cards too!  The "base" of the card is the important part of the card.  This week we want you to create a card where the "base" is the key part of the card.  That could mean you emboss the base, stamp the base, whatever you think would make your "base" the key part of your card.  We look forward to seeing what you will create!  No treble!

In the meantime, here is some inspiration from our design team: 

Robbie
Joni





Friday, September 18, 2015

# 48 - County Fair Time

We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play".  Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

All across the United States September is a time for County and State Fairs. Even The Boss (Bruce Springsteen for you young'uns) sang about it!  The 4H kids spend time showing off the animals they have raised during the year.  The ferris wheel is spinning, and the smell of funnel cake is thick in the air.  This week take some time to create a card with a county fair theme.  This could be an animal stamp used on the card or animal print paper, blue ribbons, or good ole' fashin' apple pie... ~ lots of options.  We look forward to seeing what you will create!  

In the meantime, here is some inspiration from our design team: 

Robbie

Joni





Helen



 

Friday, September 11, 2015

# 47 - Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play".  Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

 Christmas is only about 100 days away.  Have you started thinking about your cards yet?  This week take some time and design a Christmas card you would like to receive. And if you live in the Midwest, where it is roasting this week, try to think "snow"!!  
 
We look forward to seeing what you will create!  

In the meantime, here is some inspiration from our design team:

Robbie



Helen



Friday, September 4, 2015

# 46 - School Days - Dear old Golden Rule Days!!



We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play". Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

The kids have gone back to school.  Let's show our support of the teacher's by creating a card using the primary colors - red, yellow, and blue.  It can be a school theme or not, your choice!  We look forward to seeing what you will create!  

In the meantime, here is some inspiration from our design team: 



Robbie






Friday, August 28, 2015

#45...Wet Embossing



We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play". Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

One of the most popular techniques used on the most creative cards is wet (a.k.a.-heat) embossing.  The effect is one of beauty, giving a raised finish to any image.  There are numerous ways to use wet embossing on your cards, so we are challenging you to give it a go!  Create a card this week using any technique involving wet embossing!  We can't wait to see what you come up with!

In the meantime, here is some inspiration from the design team...





Joni








Helen





Friday, August 21, 2015

#44...Use Basic Gray and One Other Color



We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play". Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

Poor, poor gray!  It is a color commonly associated with conformity, boredom, uncertainty, old age, indifference and modesty.  And it is the favorite of only 1% of the population!  (These statistics/definitions are provided by internet so they must be true!)  

Well, stampers...it's time to change the opinions of the other 99%!  We challenge you to use any shade of gray (with one other color of your choice) in your card this week.  There are truly some beautiful colors that go with gray, so the sky's the limit in picking the perfect partner!  Please join us in giving gray some much needed love!  We can't wait to see how you use this misunderstood color in your card creation this week!  

In the meantime, here is some inspiration from our design team...


Leslie







Robbie






Friday, August 14, 2015

#43...Use ATC to Make a Card


We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play". Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

This week, we challenge you to use the ATC you created last week (or one that you have made before...you know-the ATC laying in a box, just patiently waiting to be used!) and turn it into a beautiful card!  What better way to put those little artistic nuggets to work, than to create an even more wonderful piece of art!  We can't wait to see what you come up with!

In the meantime, here is some inspiration from out design team...


Leslie





Friday, August 7, 2015

#42...ATC cards


We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play". Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!


Artist trading cards, or ATCs, began in the tradition of business cards, but with a personal, artistic twist. Most ATCs are created on paper, but they may also be any other medium that can be worked in a suitable size. ATCs are traditionally the size of baseball cards and other trading cards. They're a fun way to exchange your own one-of-a-kind artistic flair with other artists you meet. Express yourself or show your style!  If you can stamp inside of 3.5 x 2.5 inches, you can make an ATC!  We can't wait to see your smaller creations!  

In the meantime, here is what the design team has created...



Leslie

Robbie

















Dive on IN!! Upload your project to your blog, and link it back to us - please be sure to add our info into any public galleries where you may post (Pinterest, Facebook, Stampin' Connection, etc...). Please provide a direct link to the post featuring your challenge entry. If you need help with this please comment to the post and we will help you...  If this isn't done, we will sink your entry!  Your card or creation should not be entered in any more than three challenges - including ours! Create a NEW paper project, flat like a card, or 3-d is fine.Please use this tool to add your creation here! Thanks for taking the Plunge with us this week!  Be sure to play each week - you never knew how fun this could be! This challenge will close next Wednesday at Noon (Central time).

Friday, July 17, 2015

#41...Tall and Skinny

We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play".  Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

This week we want you to think Tall and Skinny!  Any card you create that is taller than 5 1/2 and thinner than 4 1/4 is considered Tall and Skinny...however,  3 1/2 x 8 inches fits a readily available legal-size envelope from any office supply store!  This is a fun card to make with more space to fill! We look forward to seeing what you will create!  

In the meantime, here is some inspiration from our design team: 




Leslie



Robbie





Joni

Dive on IN!! Upload your project to your blog, and link it back to us - please be sure to add our info into any public galleries where you may post (Pinterest, Facebook, Stampin' Connection, etc...). Please provide a direct link to the post featuring your challenge entry. If you need help with this please comment to the post and we will help you...  If this isn't done, we will sink your entry!  Your card or creation should not be entered in any more than three challenges - including ours! Create a NEW paper project, flat like a card, or 3-d is fine.Please use this tool to add your creation here! Thanks for taking the Plunge with us this week!  Be sure to play each week - you never knew how fun this could be! This challenge will close next Wednesday at Noon (Central time). 


Friday, July 3, 2015

#40. Be A Star

 We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play". Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

"Be a star, be a star..." , or at least use one in this week's project.  We know it is right around the Fourth of July, and many of you have plenty of festivities and picnics planned to celebrate.  Since we just recently did a red, white, and blue challenge, we thought this week you could use a star in your projects... Will you make a card?  A wreath?  A wall hanging??  Everything goes- as long as you've got a star in there somewhere!  Here's what the Lifeguards have for you this week:




Friday, June 26, 2015

# 39. Make it Mono!!

 We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play". Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

This week's challenge is a little more challenging!  We are asking that you make it mono... Monochromatic, that is!  Don't let it fool you... Monochromatic does not mean that you can only use one color, exactly. ...  It means that you use one base color, then use more of that color in varying tints, shades and intensities...  Here is a sample of a monochromatic color scheme...



Clear??  Now, check out the samples the Lifeguards have whipped up for you this week:

Robbie



Amanda
Joni



Friday, June 19, 2015

#38. He's a Manly Man

We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play". Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

Is there a special guy in your life?  A father, a husband, a grandfather, or even a son??  Let's show them some love this week with a manly man card.  Make something masculine, and add it here... We could all use ideas in this area!  Here is what the Lifeguards did this week:


Leslie

Robbie

Joni
 

 


Friday, June 12, 2015

#37. Black & White (with a pop of color!!)

We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play". Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

This week we are showing our crafty side using just a few colors.  We are asking you to use only black and white in your card, but then add in just a small pop of color.  We think you will love how this combo strikes a bold card!  If you are going to the Stampin Up! Convention this July, you may want to register for the swap that two of the lifeguards, Robbie and Amanda, have organized using this very same color combo!!  Here's a link to sign up for that swap:  Swap Link. In the meantime, get some inspiration with the lifeguard entries for this week:

Robbie



Helen
Joni



Saturday, June 6, 2015

We Haven't Forgotten About YOU!!

Hello !
We didn't want you to think we have forgotten about you - we decided to take a week off this week, so all of us could regroup and shift to summer break... (we have lots of teachers and parents among us!)...  Be ready for a brand new challenge next Friday, June 12!  We can't wait to see what you share! 

In the meantime, get outside, enjoy the sun, and make some fun memories (you can always scrapbook them later!!)

~ The Lifeguards ~

Friday, May 29, 2015

#36. All the SINGLE ladies... Single Layer Cards

We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play". Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

Um, no, you don't have to be single to play this week - many of the Lifeguards are married... but you DO have to make a card with just a single layer... I know, super challenging for many of us... nothing extra - just your card base...  what can you do with this... stamp, ink, emboss...anything but add more layers!  Here's what we did... now let's see what you can do!   

Leslie


Robbie


Joni



Friday, May 22, 2015

#35 - We Remember You, Red, White, and Blue

We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play". Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

It is that time again, that we pause in our busy lives to say, "We remember you, you will not be forgotten".  So many of our countrymen and women have served our nation in our endeavor to be safe and free, and now is the time that we salute their noble and ultimate sacrifices.  This week, we are asking that you show us your patriotic side...  we know many of you are joining us from other countries, and we are asking that you make some kind of creation in red, white, and blue this week.  Thank you for your service!

Robbie

 

Joni


 

Friday, May 15, 2015

#34. A Few of My Favorite (Retiring) Things

We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play". Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

We had to get just one more shot at using some of our very favorite things that will be retiring at the beginning of June... *sniff sniff*...  what will you miss?  We will show you our favorites, and you show us yours!

 
Robbie


Diane

Amanda
 

Thursday, May 14, 2015

#33. Swim Team - May Flowers

What a fabulous "bouquet" of winners we have here at The Paper Plunge this week.  We asked you to show us your flowers, and you filled our gardens!!  We would like to thank all of our new Swim Team members for their beautiful cards.  Please click on their names below the pictures, and swing by their websites and leave them some comment love!!

Butternut Sage Designs - Donna

Cindi's Stampin Spot

Thistledew Creations - Jackie

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

#33. It's Not Too Late - May Flower's Challenge

May flowers are everywhere, but not enough are here on our challenge!  Let's fill the world with flowers this week - or at least pictures of them... you have until noon tomorrow to get your flower creation uploaded for the challenge.  don't forget - you can now use your Instagram account to upload pictures!!

Friday, May 8, 2015

#33. May Flowers

We are a group of great friends from all over the place, who wanted to start a stress-free challenge site. This will be a weekly challenge, and there will always be something here for you to see or try. Individually, as designers, we may not all be here every week because we are busy just like you!! So 'take the plunge' when you can or stop by to be inspired, even if you don't have time to "play". Make sure you don't miss a week of inspiration by subscribing to our site on the right!

Well, we did an April Showers challenge, so it is only fair that we do a follow up challenge with May flowers!  Show us your flowers!  What will you do?  We can't wait to see... Will you stamp them? Punch them? or even make us a whole bouquet??  Let's see what you've got!

  Here's what we have for you:

Leslie




Robbie



Joni


Thursday, May 7, 2015

Swim Team - Mother Dearest

Thank you for stopping by to check out our weekly challenge!  We love to run these challenges, and love when you play along.  We would like to give a giant shout out to our newest Swim Team members this week.  Please click on the links below and leave them a little comment love!  Be sure to stop back tomorrow for a whole new challenge!

Congratulations Shirley who gave us a great card in Blackberry Bliss.

Shirley
Also on the swim team is Tracey who gave us Happy card with some bling.


Tracey



  And the last, but not the least, member on our team is Jodi who gave us a punched flower version.

Jodi