Harlequin Floral Tiles

Time Out Challenge #319 has just gone live and we have another Pick 2 Challenge!

The concept of a Pick 2 Challenge is simple - we give you 6 prompts to choose from and you use at least 2 to inspire your creation!  To be clear, you can pick more than 2 if you like - all 6 if you really want to challenge yourself - but just make sure to pick at least 2!

The Prompts for this challenge are

Monochrome, Geometric, Floral, Stitching, Birthday and CAS!

You can interpret these words any way you like but please explain if it isn't obvious and please remember we only allow a total of 5 challenges - ours plus 4 others!  I hope you enjoy our challenge and that you can take a little Time Out and join us for some fun!  

Challenge #319 is generously being sponsored by Newton's Nook and our Top Pick as chosen by the design team a $25 credit to their store.

The Top Pick will also be invited to join Time Out as a guest designer in a future challenge.  Speaking of guest designers, our guest designer this fortnight is Heather Heroldt of Handmade by Heather, our winner of Challenge #310.  Be sure to check out the Time Out Blog to see how how Heather and my talented team mates interpreted these six words!

It's been a while since I've managed all 6 word prompts but once I had chosen this diamond shape (Spellbinders Floral Mini Tiles die set) for its floral and geometric properties, the other four prompts just fell into place - I chose snippets of various pinks to make the card Monochrome, kept the design CAS and added a stitched frame and a Happy Birthday banner!  

I've left some space above the diamonds so I can add a name and personalise this birthday card once I've decided who I'll give it to ... should be a little more balanced once I do that!

I am grateful for and would like to enter the following challenges

Snippets Playground Challenge #538 - loads of snippets used;

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Monochrome;

Triple B August '26 Challenge - Blooms only;

Krafty Chicks Challenge #832- Birthday Week;

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you go away a little inspired!   Your visits and comments are always a joy and always appreciated!  And if you leave a comment, I’ll know you were here and how to find you!

Kate

Keeping it Clean and Simple

Sparkles Christmas Challenge 187 has just gone live and Helen has chosen "CAS" as our theme for August!

I decided to use this halmbock die (2025 Gummiapan Advent Calendar) for my CAS design.  A halmbock is a traditional Scandinavian Christmas decoration often placed at the foot of the Christmas tree - made from woven straw and tied with (usually) red ribbon.  

Since the goat is often placed at the foot of the Christmas tree, I laid down a few branches (also from the 2025 Gummiapan Advent Calendar) to resemble just the bottom of a Christmas tree and added a few red baubles to make it look more festive.  The square panel was cut so that the rest of the tree is off the edge.

I wanted a "God Jul" sentiment (Waltzing Mouse Alpine Christmas) in keeping with the Scandinavian theme.

Using a small panel like this or an aperture is the easiest way I know of to keep a design CAS.  Loads of white space with a minimal colour palette relying on depth and texture for interest. 

I hope you can find time to join us this month at the Sparkles Christmas Challenge - I don't want to worry you but we're over half way through the year now!

I am grateful for and would like to enter the following challenges:

NBUS Challenge #89 - NBUS Halmbock and Fir Branch;

The Outlawz August Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas goes;

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #69 - Anything Christmas Goes;

Krafty Chicks Challenge #831 - Week 5 Anything Goes;

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes;

The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you go away a little inspired!  Your visits and comments are always a joy and always appreciated!  And if you leave a comment, I’ll know you were here and should be able to find you!

Kate 

Mother Nature

A new challenge has just gone live at Time Out Challenges and this Inspired By challenge celebrates Mother Nature. 

We want you to create a project inspired by:

The Environment: Mountains, oceans, forests, weather, and ecosystems.

Living Things: Plants, animals.

Nature Itself: Features and processes that exist independently of human creation.

We can't wait to see how Mother Nature inspires you! 

Challenge #318 is generously being sponsored by Lawn Fawn and they are offering our Top Pick as chosen by the design teams a $25 credit to their store!

The Top Pick will also be invited to join Time Out as a guest designer in a future challenge!  We don't have a Guest Designer this fortnight but make sure you check out the Time Out Blog to see how my talented team mates were inspired by Mother Nature over on the Time Out Blog!

I had to think really hard about this one!  What do I most admire about Mother Nature, what do I love about Mother Nature, what colours does Mother Nature inspire me to use ...

The hexagon shape is something that has always fascinated me!  It has the ability to perfectly tessellate - covering a surface completely without gaps and using minimal material.  This makes it incredibly efficient in nature and a popular choice for organisms that prioritise structure and strength!  It doesn't look like it could occur naturally yet does!

Flowers are also one of my favourite things about nature so today I have used the hexagonal Floral Mini Tiles (Spellbinders) and cut flowers from snippets of pastel colours of the rainbow (something else I love about Mother Nature) - pink, peach, lemon, mint, sky, mauve with a touch of gold for some elegance and laid them on tiles of forest green in a six "petal" arrangement.

I couldn't resist adding this "Mother" sentiment (Sizzix Thinlets Female Occasions) to my tribute to Mother Nature to the centre which just fitted in the centre!  

I am grateful for and would like to enter the following challenges :

Snippets Challenge #537 - see below for photos of snippets used;

Word Power July Challenge - sentiment as focal point;

Ellibelle's Garden Party #17 - Anything in or from a garden;

A Cut Above 2 Year Anniversary Challenge - Anything goes with a die cut!

NBUS July Mutual Appreciation Challenge - Floral Mini Tiles is NBUS!

I hope you can take some Time Out this fortnight and show us how you are inspired by Mother Nature - you have until August 5th to link up your entries ... can't wait to see your creations in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you go away a little inspired!   Your visits and comments are always a joy and always appreciated!   And if you leave a comment, I’ll know you were here and should be able to find you!

Kate