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

All at Sea

Challenge #317 has just gone live at Time Out Challenges and this fortnight we have the theme challenge

Water

Think ocean, lake, pool, bathtub, rain, fountain, in a glass, sprinkler, river, etc - any way you want to interpret the word!

We don't have a sponsor for Challenge #317 but our lovely team member Jaydee has kindly donated some brand new crafting stash for our Top Pick this fortnight as chosen by the design team!

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 Kathy Asper of MyAsperations and winner of Time Out #312.  Kathy is a frequent player and big supporter of Time Out. Her cards are quite unique and she loves to decorate the insides as well.  Do treat yourself to a stroll though her blog and you are sure to be inspired!

For my card today I've gone with a patterned paper for my water theme and created a spinner/easel card using various nautically themed sets (Verve Strong Anchor, Couture Creations Compass and Wheel die, Spellbinders Wonky Rectangles set)!

I hope you can take some Time Out and join us this fortnight for our Water Theme - you have until the July 22nd to link up your entries ... can't wait to see your creations in the gallery!

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

Neglected Stuff Challenge July - Verve Strong Anchor Set purchased 2016;

Love Those Pretty Papers July Challenge - Optional Theme Coastal;

The Male Room Challenge #212 - Hobbies (my hubby's hobby is sailing);

The Card Concept Challenge 228a - Summer by the Sea (see Inspiration Pic below)!

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