The current challenge at Caardvarks is to use ribbon on your card. They have a fantastic sponsor with a very generous prize, May Arts. I have tons and tons of May Arts ribbon and I adore them. I love that I can buy just a yard and bc there's no packaging, the price is so much lower than other manufacturers. Plus, their stuff is seriously stunning. I have two big boxes of ribbon (I'm a bit ribbon obsessed) and couldn't wait to try this challenge.
I wanted to do something totally different than the conventional use of ribbon stretched across the card or turned into a ruffle. I came up with the idea that I used while sitting in a Marketing Class (yes, I should have been listening to the lecture, I know. LOL). I didn't use my May Arts ribbon just because I wouldn't dream of cutting it into pieces/strips, freying the edges and distressing it. Ack! The horror! Could you imagine?? I actually have a few pieces of their ribbon that I have had for months but am yet to find a LO or card "worthy" of such beauty. I'm nuts like that. :o)
Well, here's my "outta the box" ribbon card. I made it with a left over roll of ribbon from my SIL's wedding (so there was no guilt in cutting it all up). The mummy is layer up layer of individually laid strips. I think he turned out great! It was quite a bit of work but so worth it. What do you think?
My candy banner up close:
Wish me luck! I completely adore Card Trends and was so honored to have them spotlight one of my cards last week. Let's hope for two in a row!! :o)
Let's get a close up of a few of the elements! Here is a closer photo of the detail at the bottom of the photograph. I made the flower by stacking rings of scrap paper that matched the flowers on the tree then finished it off with two nested buttons. The ruffle is a whole lotta ribbon that I hand stitched down. I LOVE the look of this but it was a pain in the rear to actually do. But I think it's worth it: 
A close up of the tree and all of the buttons/gems. I brought my mom's button box back from Washington after her memorial service in July. So this holds a particularly special place in my heart: 
The orange patterned paper, skull die cut and skull border sticker are from My Mind's Eye. The word stickers are from Reminisce. And the background paper (with skulls) is Bo Bunny. *sigh* I love Halloween!
The challenge is to makes something, anything using this advertisement as inspiration. You could turn it into a sketch and approach it that way, be inspired by the grass, clouds and butterflies, or you could use the gorgeous colors. I used the colors and nature elements:
Here's a close up of some magic mesh (from the post a few weeks ago), a felt cloud, stickle scallops and of course the beautiful butterflies! The butterlies came from a sheet of die cuts and were flat. I folded the wings up and attached them to the page at their "bodies". Then I rolled the edges of the wings under to give them some "movement". I added lots of clear stickles to the wings, distressed stickles as their bodies and tucked in some twine as the antenna. Also, notice that gorgeous embossed paper in the background! This was a recent find at my LSS. It is also made by Bazzill. The floral pattern is embossed in the most perfect glossy finish. It's yummy!
Inspired? I hope so!! Head over to 
I hand-made the flowers, added a touch of bling and embroidery floss stitching:
Haven't been to 
Gorgeous, huh? And you can make ANYTHING inspired by this ad. A LO, mini album, card, altered item - whatever! Just get it made and sumbitted by September 20th for your chance to win:
How cute is that cupcake album?? I WANT!!! And those fairy stamp... and those thickers... and those Prima flowers... and.. and...and... Am I eligible to win this?? what? no? bummer. LOL! This is a fantastic RAK and right now she has only received three entries so your chances are awesome. Head on over to 
