Duncan Street Designs : The Four Seasons Challenge Blog

Showing posts with label The Four Seasons Challenge Blog. Show all posts

Thursday, December 1, 2022

The Four Seasons Challenge - Winter

Hello Friends and Happy December! It's hard to believe we are approaching 2023, I hope you have a good start on your holiday baking, crafting and decorating. Me? I'm getting there, the Tree is up and the lights have been hung.

Today begins the 1st Winter themed challenge at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog. The inspiration photo this round is so pretty and I went CAS this time, which is something I find very difficult to pull off.

I was inspired by the snow, so fluffy and white and I was excited to use my new set from the Simon Says Stamp Stamptember festivities, it's the Gina K. Designs Sparkling Season Stamp Set.

I've stamped and heat embossed the baubles and sentiment using fine detail gold embossing powder. My focal panel measures 3.75" x 5" and you can see how large the image is.

I've backed the panel with gold mirror card and I just couldn't resist not adding bells and whistles so yes, you guessed it, there have been gold gems from Kat Scrappiness added.

Please join us at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog. We hope to inspire you with our makes and look forward to seeing your Winter themed projects. Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered

C.R.A.F.T Challenge - Christmas Baubles

Krafty Chicks

Outlawz Twisted Thursday

Lil Red Wagon

SSS Wed Challenge

SSS Mon Challenge

Lost Coast Portal to Creativity

PIN-spirational - used Gold from 5 Golden Rings

Moving Along with the Times

Merry Little Christmas

A Very Vintage Christmas

Crafty Friends

Crafting Happiness

Classic Design Challenge

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

The Four Seasons Challenge - November Gnomie

Hello Friends and Happy 1st Day of November! Today begins a new challenge month at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog and it's the last month of Autumn themed Mood Boards; next month we move into Winter themes.

I received a packet of decoupage sheets in a Card Swap last year and while looking for something from my stash to create this month's project, I came across them. I loved the Gnomes, they are so adorable and I especially love the Starbucks-like drink this Gnomie Girl is holding.

To start, I've embossed a panel using a Autumn leaves folder from Darice and die cut an oval from the center. I've ink blended the cut out with Peeled Paint Distress Ink and splattered with water and white acrylic gloss spray.

I've fussy cut the decoupage image and sentiment, then adhered all to a brown mat. Before adhereing to the card base, I've wrapped Baker's Twine and tied a bow. To finish the card, I placed gold gems and called this card done.

Please stop by the challenge blog and join in. We love seeing how the monthly Mood board inspires everyone and my team mates have created some lovely projects that will surely inspire you as well.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Saturday, October 1, 2022

The Four Seasons Challenge - Autumn Month 2

Hello Friends and Happy October 1st! It's time for a new challenge month at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog and we're entering the 2nd month of Autumn themes.

It's the month of things that go bump in the night and my project features layered stenciling using the Spooky Icons layering stencil from Simon Says Stamp.

This is a 4 piece stencil set and is actually easy to layer up, plus I adore the fun images! I chose traditional Halloween colors using Catherine Pooler inks. Catherine Pooler Inks are my favorite at the moment and I've used vivid colors from the Party Collection line.

My card measures 5.5" square, which is my favorite square size to create as I can use most of a 8.5" x 11" sheet of card. I've added a black mat, tied some black twine, and added some shine with sequins. The sentiment is the Happy Halloween Die Sentiment with shadow from Kat Scrappiness, the shadow layer was cut from vellum.

Please visit us at The Four Seasons Challenge this Month. We are always excited to see your makes and visit your posts. Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Simon Says Stamp Wed Challenge

Country View Challenges

Pearly Sparkles

Simon Says Stamp Flickr Challenge

There's a Stamp for That

Penny's Challenges

Crafting Happiness

Thursday, September 1, 2022

The Four Seasons Challenge - Autumn Month 1

Hello Friends and Happy 1st Day of September! Today begins a new challenge at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog and our inspiration prompt is Autumn themed.

I recently received the Fall Foliage Layering Stencil Kit and Coordinating Die set from Pink Fresh Studio. This is a great stencil set, even though it's named Fall Foliage, it's actually so versatile. The stencils are easy to layer and the combinations of colors you can create are limitless.

I knew right away I wanted to create a Wreath so I proceeded to stencil and die cut several leaves in various colors.

The card measures 5.5" square and the polkadot patterned paper is from the Bo Bunny "Vintage Polkadot" 6x6 paper pad. I've has this paper pad in my stash for a few years and I hoard this paper, I love it and it's hard for me to use it. Do you hoard paper like I do?

I die cut a circle and stamped the sentiment, then added craft foam behind as I planned to elevate it; I needed the ground clearance to tuck all the leaves in.

I wanted an extra full wreath; hence the amount of leaves. After getting everything adhered, I added a Baker's Twine Bow and some gold gems. I hope you'll stop by the challenge blog and see the lovely projects my teammates have created this 1st challenge of Autumn. I hope you'll play along too!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

AYLI = fav base is square; I started papercrafting when we were stationed overseas and that was the shape everyone made so it has a special place in my heart.

Moving Along with the Times

Scrapping 4 Fun

Simon Says Stamp Wed Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

QKR Stampede

A Perfect Time to Craft

Classic Design Challenge

Die Cut Divas

Love to Craft

Hero Arts

Monday, August 1, 2022

The Four Seasons Challenge - Pineapple Crush

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy 1st Day of August. The year is flying by and we are that much closer to Christmas...but I digress. It's a busy Monday; I have 4 posts scheduled for today so let's get started!

Today begins a new challenge month at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog and this is the last month for a Summer Theme. The inspiration prompt features lots of color and color inspired my team project.

I love to create with lots of color and I've had the lovely Pineapple Crush set from Impression Obsession in my stash for a while and have never used so when I saw the inspiration photo, I knew exactly this set was the one to use.

Pineapple Crush is a layering set but there are so many ways to stamp the designs without actually layering them. Also, this is a 5x7" card; a size I seldom create but I wanted to create a landscape format and wanted to stamp 3 of the images so it looked best as a 5x7.

Using complimentary Catherine Pooler Inks, I stamp layered the pineapples and mini hibiscus flowers. To be honest, the hibiscus are small and I was having trouble lining them up so I decided to just stamp and if they didn't line up perfectly, they would just look "artsy".

To finish the design, I've added gold iridescent sequins along with black and gold twine. We hope to see your lovely Summer themed projects at The Four Seasons Challenge this month. Next month we enter Autumn and then the holiday season...I know, I know!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

A Perfect Time to Craft

Carlin's Card Paradise

Mirtillamente

Creatalicious

Moving Along with the Times

NBUS

SSS Wed Challenge

Friday, July 1, 2022

The Four Seasons Challenge - Month #2 Summer

Hi Crafty Friends and Happy FRI-YAY! I hope you have something extra special planned this holiday weekend (it's the 4th of July Holiday weekend here in the States). I am hoping for good weather with lots of sun as we want to BBQ, swim and watch fireworks. We live on a lake and our neighborhood puts on a nice fireworks show every year. They are beautiful to watch as they burst in the sky over the lake.

Today begins a new challenge at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog. We are continuing this month with the Summer Theme and the inspiration photo follows:

July is my favorite summer month because of the 4th of July and my birthday. I was inspired by the patriotic scenes in the photo so I've created a card featuring a Statue of Gnome-erty, the digital image is from TLC Designs and it's Gnorman for All. I recently won a prize from TLC Designs and this set was the 1st one I picked out...isn't he adorable?

I love the way this Gnome is drawn and I love the distressed sentiment. The 4th of July designed Digital background papers are from Design Lover Studio on Etsy. At the time of this writing, the papers are on sale at a 70% savings.

The image has been colored with Spectrum Noir Illustrator Alcohol Markers and I've added blue gems to complete the design. The focal and sentiment panels have been popped on craft foam for dimension.

Please join us at The Four Seasons Challenge this month. Please use the photo prompt as inspiration, we enjoy seeing all the entries and visiting everyone.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper

NBUS

Love to Craft

QKR Stampede

A Perfect Time to Craft

SSS Mon Challenge - Coming to America

Creative Moments

Colorful Options

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

The Four Seasons Challenge - Summer Mood Board

Hi Crafty Friends! It's the 1st of June and that signals a new challenge month at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog. The mood board now reflects Summer and it's intended for inspiration.

I was inspired by the pink florals so my project features a stamped image from the Flower Girls set by Jane Davenport. The designer papers are from the Carta Bella "Summer" 6x6 paper pad and the image has been colored with Spectrum Noir Illustrator Alcohol Markers.

My card measures 5.5" square, which is my favorite square size primarily because I can use the entire length of a letter sized sheet of card to create a top folding greeting card. The focal panel was matted and popped of craft foam for dimension.

The sentiment is from the Magnificent Branch Stamp Set by Altenew. I've added Silver Thread and light pink Gems to finish the design.

The Four Seasons Challenge is a monthly challenge and we would love to see your designs entered this month. Get inspired and play along!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Paper Shelter - Movie inspired: Steel Magnolias

Penny's Challenges

Word Art Wednesday

Elliebell's Crafty Wednesday

QKR Stampede

A Perfect Time to Craft

Ching-Chou Kuik Challenge

Classic Design Challenge

Outlawz Festive Friday

Sunday, May 1, 2022

The Four Seasons Challenge May 2022 - Spring

Hello Friends and Happy May Day! Today is the 1st of May and that signals a new challenge month at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog. We have 1 more month of Spring inspiration before we change seasons and move into Summer. The Inspiration Board contains lovely inspiration and is provided for exactly that....Inspiration:

For my design team project, I was inspired by the purple flowers and since purple is my favorite color, I knew I just had to create a card featuring this lush color.

Using my new Sweet Blooms Border Hot Foiling Plate by Becca Feeken for Spellbinders, I've foiled the image with gold and colored with alcohol markers. I've trimmed and mounted the panel on craft foam and attached to a white mat that has been embossed with the same hot foiling plate.

The sentiment is from a package of stickers that I received in a card swap, the enamel dots are from Kat Scrappiness. Please join us this month at The Four Seasons Challenge, we hope to inspire you with our designs and would love to see yours.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

A Perfect Time to Craft

Classic Design Challenge

Alphabet Challenge

Friday, April 1, 2022

The Four Seasons Challenge - Spring Theme Continues

Hello and Happy Fri-YAY April 1st! Today begins a new challenge month at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog with the Spring Theme continuing. The inspiration board follows and used for inspiration...and that's no April Foolin'!

My design team project was created using the Grateful Blooms Stamp and Coordinating Die Set from Concord & 9th. I was inspired by the colors of the Rain Boots and Tulips pictured upper left of the inspiration board.

Using inks from Catherine Pooler, I stamped the floral image, which is a layering stamp, and created the background using lighter green and pink inks.

The focal image was die cut using the coordinating die, the sentiment is part of the stamp set and was also cut using coordinating dies. I cut a thick banner from Watercolor themed cardstock and added Sping Leaves Faux Pearls from Kat Scrappiness.

The colors I've used just scream SPRING to me and soon we will be into Summer. Please join us at The Four Seasons Challenge this month and show off your Spring designs.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Outlawz Festive Fridays

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

The Four Seasons Challenge - Spring

Happy 1st Day of March and Happy Mardi Gras! Today begins a new challenge month at The Four Seasons Challenge and the theme has changed to SPRING.

For my design team project, I've used the large Feathered Lily from Altenew to create a 5x7 Card. This stamp set is part of a Craft Your Life Project Kit and I've decided to try a technique that I often forget...Heat Embossing on Acetate.

I've stamped the image on Heat Resistant Acetate and embossed with fine detail gold power. Without moving the stamp from my Misti Stamp Positioner, I stamped the image again on a white card mat and stenciled the color on.

I've cut a large aperture in the case base and black mat, then adhered the embossed acetate piece so it matches perfectly with the image stamped on the inside.

To tidy up the Acetate edge, I die cut a frame from a stitched retangle die. Viola! Complete! The trick to embossing on acetate is using Heat Resistant Acetate and generously apply anti-static powder before stamping with the watermark ink.

Please join us this month at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog. We would love to see your Spring Inspired projects.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Classic Design Challenge

Creative Inspiration

Ellibelle's Crafty Corner

Word Art Wednesday

Crafting Happiness

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

The Four Seasons Challenge Blog - Winter Theme

Hello All and Happy 1st Day of February. Today begins a new challenge month at the Four Seasons Challenge Blog with our continued theme of Winter.

Based on the inspiration photo, I've created a Valentine's Day Card for my hubby using the "new to me" layering Heart Builder Stencil from Altenew. He loves all the cards I create for him and he actually saves them. He's a great guy and so supportive of my crafting.

My card measures 5.5" square and I've stenciled the background using Catherine Pooler inks. The large heart was die cut from glitter card using one of the newest heart die sets from Kat Scrappiness and the sentiment is also from Kat Scrappiness.

The Gingham ribbon is from Gina K. Designs and is lovely against the red and pink heart background.

We would love to have you share your winter themed projects with us this month at The Four Seasons Challenge. Hope to see you there! Until next time, Happy Crafting.

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Moving Along with the Times

NBUS

Pearly Sparkles

Pin-spirational Challenge

Make the Cards Challenge

Dies R Us

Saturday, January 1, 2022

January Challenge - The Four Seasons

Happy New Year's Day! Today begins a new challenge month at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog and our theme of Winter continues.

For my design team project, I used the "Stop Dachshund Around" Stamp and Coordinating Die Set from Time 4 Tea Designs to create a fun winter themed card.

I have 2 Dachshunds; Roxie and Stella. My Stella was the inspiration for this Pup as she is a "Red" so using Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, I colored up the image. The focal background was ink blended using Distress Oxide Inks and die cut.

The papers are also from Time 4 Tea "Winter Wonderfland" 6x6 paper pad, snowflake embellishments, also from Time 4 Tea, were added and the sentiment was stamped and heat embossed. Lastly, a bit of twine was added and the focal along with the semtiment strips were popped on craft foam for dimension.

That finished my winter card for this challenge. Please stop by The Four Seasons Challenge blog and enter to win! Happy New Year and until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Three Room Studio

Di's Digi Design

Gem of a Challenge

Taylor Made Cards 4 U

Polkadoodles

Pattie's Creations

Challenge Up Your Life

Crafting Happiness

Crafty Animals

Love to Craft

2 Crafty Critter Crazies

Pearly Sparkles

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

The Four Seasons Challenge - December 2021

Hello Crafty Friends and Happy 1st of December! Today begins a new challenge month at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog and it's Anything Goes that's Winter related.

For my design team project, I've used a Poinsettia digital image and sentiment from the Verve Store. Verve has since closed shop but I was lucky enough to purchase a holiday set before the virtual doors closed.

I've colored the florals using Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and fussy cut. The designer papers are from the "Merry Christmas" 6x6 paper pack from Alina Crafts on Amazon.

The sentiment has been cut using a circle die then popped on craft foam, along with the florals, for dimension. Lastly, red faux gems and Gold Stickles have been added for that holiday sparkle and shine.

Please visit the Four Seasons Challenge Blog this month and enter your Winter Themed projects for a chance to win a great prize!

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Make the Cards

Simon Says Stamp Wed. Challenge

Country View Challenge

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper

Pin-spirational

Clever Dexter

Monday, November 1, 2021

The Four Seasons Challenge - Autumn/Fall

Hello and Happy Monday! Wow, it's November 1st and today begins a new challenge month at The Four Seasons Challenge Blog with the Autumn/Fall theme continuing through the end of this month.

My design team project features the Pumpkins and Fence digital stamp from Eureka! Stamps. I've created this card with the Thanksgiving Holiday in mind and kept the design simple.

I've colored the image with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers and matted with a panel of brown card. The card base is 110 lb. Kraft card.

I've added a small bow made from Baker's Twine and a cappucino enamel dot and that completes this card. Please visit us this month at The Four Seasons Challenge.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

A Bit More Time to Craft Extra

A Perfect Time to Craft

Classic Design Challenge

Clever Dexter

Make My Monday

Stay Crafty with Hero Arts

Friday, October 1, 2021

The Four Seasons Challenge #2

Hello Friends and Happy October! Today begins a new challenge month at The Four Seasons Challenge and we're continuing with the Autumn/Fall theme. My card features some not so spooky Halloween images from a Recollections Cling Stamp Set.

The inspiration prompt for the month of October is:

When tidying up my craft room recently, I came across these cling stamps from Recollections that I've had for a few years. I'd forgotten just how cute they are.

I've colored the images with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, created a tag and mats using papers from the Echo Park Trick or Treat 6x6 paper pad and Recollections Seasonal Solids 12x12 paper pack.

I've used stitched dies from Kat Scrappiness and My Favorite Things for the tag, banner sentiment and small mats. The only bells and whistles added was Wink of Stella on the Pumpkins; which is always hard to capture in photos.

Please join us at The Four Seasons Challenge this month. We hope to inspire you with our designs and always love to see what you create.

Until Next Time, Happy Crafting!

Donna

**Challenges Entered:

QKR Stampede

A Perfect Time to Craft