The Challenges of ALL Challenges

Hi Scrappers!  Danielle a.k.a. FitterTwit here with another fun design team challenge this week!!!  I gotta tell you.... THIS ONE WAS TOUGH!  The entire design team had a hard time staying on task just to bring you this inspiration.  The challenge:  Design an original project with a gambling/bunco theme using Sizzix products... no other company's die cut/embossing products allowed.

Pam, who stayed on task, used Sizzix Flourish with Hearts to create this WONDERFUL layout of her and her card club... so fun Pam!!!  She also used Bazzill cardstock, Anna Griffin Chipboard Alpha Stickers, Kaiser Craft rhinestones, Copic multiliner, Sukura white gel pen and beautiful red ribbon to finish out her design.  

 Marijo, who swears she stayed on task (we know how hard it is for this Cricut Queen), used the Sizzix cards embossing folders with Sharpie markers on lightweight metal sheets from Quickuts (you might also try this on heavy-grade aluminum foil).  She says that the keno balls and dice were hand cut, but I couldn't fault her if she ended up breaking out her beloved Cricut!!!  You'll want to make sure you swing by Paper Vineyard for super fun titles and embellishments for a fun Las Vegas themed layout!!!

Here is a close up of Marijo's embossed card.... I LOVE those Sizzix/Tim Holtz Alterations Cards embossing folders!!!

Next up is Gayl's Gamble project.  She actually went in a completely brilliant and different direction with our challenge theme.  This is just WONDERFUL!!!  As can always be expected from our oh-so-artistic Gayl, she managed to touch on life with this inspiring work of art and the definition of a true gamble.  She used Sizzix/Tim Holtz tattered flower, Sizzix/Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers Large Cabinet and We R Memory Keepers Travel Light Paper.  It seems that last week's We R Memory Keepers Travel Light challenge really got her going....

This is the cover to her All In album also featuring We R Memory Keepers Travel Light as well as Sizzix!!!  GORGEOUS!!!
And now for MINE.....

YES, OK, so I failed this challenge miserably!!!  I CANNOT NOT play with all my toys!!!  So, while I did use Sizzix quite a bit in this project, I just couldn't follow the rules!!!  So featured in my project are the Sizzix Mini Paper Rosettes (I only used one of the two that come on this die) using the Sizzix Big Shot.... my FAVORITE die cut/embossing machine.  But then I used the Cuttlebug Clockworks embossing folder in my Big Shot along with Spellbinders dies!  It is NOT my fault!!!  First, the Tim Holtz Gears embossing folder was sold out within something like 48 hours of arrival at the store last week.  AND THEN.... is it MY FAULT that the Sizzix Big Shot is compatible with just about every die on the market???  With the Big Shot, I don't HAVE to buy Sizzix dies exclusively!!!  That is just a fantastic feature of owning one, I gotta say. 
I also used my new DCWV papers and embellishments from the Immortal Love line, the Martha Stewart Circle Cutter for the photo mat,  my EK Success card suit punch, Creative Impressions Red Swirl ribbon, washi tape and Bazzill Basics bling to finish this off.  I just gotta say a special "Thank You" to my friend Cindy S. who inspired those SUPER FUN ribbon stitches on my photo mat (check out yesterday's post)!

And finally, here is my FIRST attempt at this challenge which didn't even turn out to be part of the gambling theme at all!!!  Again, I used my Sizzix Big Shot to emboss the Cuttlebug Clockworks folder and cut the Spellbinders Nestability dies as well as the Sizzix/Tim Holtz Alterations Gears die.  I was just so inspired by the new Technique Tuesday stamps that arrived at Paper Vineyard last week, that when I pulled out everything to get started on this week's challenge, well.... the project above is what came out!!!  hahahahhaahhahahhahaha!  I thought it turned out beautifully using the Cosmo Cricut scraps from a previous challenge, so I wanted to share it with you. 

That does it for today's design team projects.  Be sure to swing by Paper Vineyard to check out all the new stuff that has arrived... it's all pretty great!