A Bittersweet Announcement

Hi, everyone! It's the second Wednesday of a new month.... which means it's time for a new Words 2 Craft By Challenge. But, before we get to that, we have...

A Bittersweet Announcement

This month's challenge is our last Words 2 Craft By challenge... at least for now. As one of our I-Teamers said, all good things must come to an end.

Six years ago, Sybrina and I, along with a few crafty pals, decided to start the word-inspired challenge blog Words 2 Scrap By. Along the way we have been blessed to work with so many wonderfully talented and incredible generous crafters. Heartfelt thanks go to:

• Sybrina, W2CB co-founder and my partner-in-craft these past six years.
• Past and present team members who never failed to awe and inspire with their incredible interpretations: Annie, Bernadette, Celeste, Greta, Jennifer, Mary Anne, Marty, Penny, and Tina. 
• Peggy, who designed our banner and badges.
• All of our guest designers. Unfortunately, this senior brain of mine is incapable of remembering the names of all you wonderful designers. Fortunately, you know who you are.  :)
• Kim Hughes of Paper Smooches, who kindly sponsored several challenges.  
• Each and every one of you wonderful fellow crafters. Thank you all so very much for your support these six years!!!

Since this is the last challenge, we've decided to change up the awarding of prizes this time around. Instead of awarding a prize to a single challenge winner, we are going to randomly select three challenge entrants and three W2CB followers to receive $10 gift certificates to Paper Smooches.
This month's words come to us from Saint Francis of Assisi.

For it is in giving that we receive.

Thank you, everyone, for all of you encouragement and support!  You have given me so much!  Here is a gift that I am giving this holiday season.  I like to give something to my co-workers, but there are a lot of them, and I don't want to make anyone feel like they have to reciprocate.  

I used a tutorial I found HERE, and eos lip balm I found at Costco (9 for $10.99 - a steal!!!).  The plaid paper is from Lawn Fawn, accented with ribbon and jewels.  I am in love with this super simple paper purse.  I think it is a great way to present an inexpensive gift.  

Words 2 Craft By Mid Challenge Reminder

This month's words of gratitude come to us from Sam Lefkowitz.

When asked if my cup is half-empty or half-full 
my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup.

I found a 12 x 12 sheet from American Crafts with small blocks with sayings.  I love these for mass producing cards.  Bonus - it coordinated nicely an Echo Park paper pad I already owned!  

You have until December 4 to join Words 2 Craft By for this gratitude challenge!!!

W2CB #70 Reminder - Always Be...

This month's W2CB challenge is based on the following phrase: 

Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman.  

Then always be Batman.  Source Unknown

 Batman is a selfless, flawed hero.  Kids of all ages (including my husband, a major fan) love him.  Many of my cards are donated to Cards for Soldiers, and they never have enough cards for boys.  I made an SVG and cut a bunch of these with my KNK Zing. 

 Black base, gold oval, black bat, rounded corners - done!  Super cute and easy to mass produce.  Be sure to share your hero, bat or other project with us at Words 2 Craft By through November 13.

Peggy's Birthday - Also Known as Talk Like a Pirate Day!!

Today is Talk Like a Pirate Day - and Peggy of PegBoard Crafts birthday!  Fits in perfectly with the Words 2 Craft By Ahoy There! challenge.

Cut this cutie from an old Cricut cartidge, sentiment from Fiskars.  Click HERE to play along with us through October 2!!

W2CB #69 - Ahoy Matey

September 19 is Talk Like a Pirate Day, and this month's Words 2 Craft By challenge plays right along!

The sailboat is from the SU! Swirly Bird set, paper from Carta Bella Ahoy There pad.  Please join us for our challenge through October 2!

W2CB #67: 50 Years Ago Today

I was a little girl, and my mother settled me into my rocking chair in front of the TV.  She told me to pay close attention, and someday I would tell my children and grandchildren that I watched the first lunar landing live.  Mom was ahead of her time, and recognized the importance of making memories.  I've tried to do that with my son, but he is young enough that the jury is still out!  I have always told him that I love him to the moon and back.

Come play along with us at Words 2 Craft By as we honor the mission's lunar plaque inscription.

We came in peace for all mankind.

The challenge is open through July 24.  Peace.

W2CB #67: The Men on the Moon

Hi, everyone! It's the second Wednesday of a new month.... which means it's time for a new Words 2 Craft By Challenge.

July 20th will mark the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. In honor of Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Michael Collins, and the men and women of NASA, we remember the mission's lunar plaque inscription.

We came in peace for all mankind.

Here is my interpretation:

We hope you'll join us by linking up an Apollo 11-inspired card/project. Our challenge winner will receive a $10 e-certificate to the merchant of her/his choice. See you in the W2CB Gallery!

Words 2 Craft By - Running Barefoot

Our Words this month come from Leslie Grimutter.

My own prescription for health is less paperwork 
and more running barefoot.

Life is truly better in flip flops!!!

And what better to pair with flip flops than a teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini?!?!  

We hope you'll join us by linking up a running-barefoot-inspired card/project. Our challenge winner will receive a $10 e-certificate to the merchant of her/his choice. See you in the W2CB Gallery!

W2CB #64 - Heroes

Our Words 2 Craft By quote this month come from Gerald Way:

All the best heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary.  

My favorite superheroes are the men and women serving in the armed forces around the world, leaving their homes and families to keep the rest of us safe. 

These will go to Cards for Soldiers to be included in care packages for deployed military.  Did you know that April 28 is National Super Hero Day?!?  What better way to honor our everyday heroes!!!  Please join us at Words 2 Craft By through May 1, and show us your super hero!!

W2CB #63 - Happiness

Hi, everyone! It's the second Wednesday of a new month.... which means it's time for a new Words 2 Craft By challenge.

In honor of the International Day of Happiness on March 20, this month's words come to us from John Harrigan.

Happiness held is the seed.
Happiness shared is the flower.

Dancing is a great way to show happiness!!

I used a Sizzix swing card die, and fussy cut the ladies.  How do you sow seeds of happiness?  Share with us at Words 2 Craft By through April 3!

W2CB Happy 2019!!

Welcome to another inspiration filled year at Words 2 Craft By.  Our words this month come from Emily Dickenson:

Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul - and sings the tunes without the words - and never stops at all. Emily Dickinson

Here is my interpretation:

My dear friend Diana stopped in to visit for a few days over the holidays, and shared this fun fold concept with me:

Just cut your 8.5 x 11 card stock on the diagonal!  Love this idea for adding interest without bulk.  Please join us and share how you interpret hope!  The challenge is open January 9 through February 6!

W2CB Angels at Christmas

This round our Words 2 Craft By:

I'm an angel at Christmas time, but the rest of the year I'm the real me.  

Benjamin, age 11

There are all kinds on angels - all your 'round.  Most are disguised as helping hands.

I love this old SU! Fashion Statements set for thank you notes.  Come play along with us at Words 2 Craft By through January 2.  Have a wonderful holiday season, and thank you for being part of the Words 2 Craft By family!!

Words 2 Craft By #58 - October Eves

The Words 2 Craft By prompt this month is:

Listen!

The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves,

We have had our summer evenings,

now for October eves.  Humbert Wolfe

I inked up an old dictionary page, and punched out the leaves.  I added a plaid stamp in off white ink and done!!  Show off your October Eves by November 7 by linking up HERE.

W2CB #57 - Crispy Fall

Here in the Midwest, there's almost always a crispness in the air when the calendar turns to September. To commemorate the change in seasons, the Words 2 Craft By quote come to us from F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.

I love making fall cards, my favorite color pallet is derived from fall colors.  I love the deep reds, purples, golds, and oranges I see on the trees around me.  

I started with paper colored with  alcohol ink and gold mixative:

I cut the leaves with old Marvy metal punches, and curled the leaves around a pencil.  Added a fun die cut background and an old SU! sentiment and done!!  Come play along with us at Words 2 Craft By and show us your crispy fall creation!!!

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Words 2 Craft By - Life is Better in Flip Flops

This month at Words 2 Craft By, our challenge is "Life is Better in Flip Flops".

Carta Bella Summer Lovin' paper, Sweet Sunday Sketch #216.  How are you flip floppin' this summer?

Words 2 Craft By #54 - Most Alive

This month's Words 2 Craft By challenge begs the question - "Go where you feel most alive".  For me, it is at a beach, any beach. 

Fabulous flamingos are just a bonus!  This Hero Arts layering set is stamped with Oxide Distress Ink.  Come play along with us at Words 2 Craft By and show us your happy place!!

W2CB #52 - April's Promise

Welcome back to the Words 2 Craft By April challenge!  Our words this month are:

SPRING!!  Such a wonderful promise.  

The flowers of spring in Ohio can come as early as crocuses in February, or s late as May.  I will take Spring flowers any time!!  Ellen Huston Bold Blossoms die cuts, stash washi tape made the polka dot layers, the hello from SU! Watercolor Wishes.  Please come join us at Words 2 Craft By for our April is a Promise challenge through May 2!

W2CB #51 - Phenomenal Woman

Welcome to the Words 2 Craft By Challenge!  This month's inspiring words are:

Some of the most phenomenal women I know battle health and financial issues every day and continue to care for their families.  Here's to the women who persevere! 

Very simple card, but this Concord & 9th die have more than enough detail for the card.  I only added the ticket corner punch from We R Memory Keepers.  I made a bunch of these for Gilda's House. 

Phenomenal women (and men!), join us for this Words 2 Craft By Challenge through April 4!!

W2CB #50 - Blizzard of Kisses

This month's challenge is drawn from these words:

 

This wonderful background die is a blizzard of kisses in my mind!!!

 Spellbinder die background, Hero Arts Prayers stamp/die set.  

Can't wait to see how you interpret these words!  Please share your creations with us at Words 2 Craft By!!

W2CB #49: The Magic of Beginnings

Wow!  I knew I was busy over the holidays, but didn't realize I had neglected my crafting and blogging for a whole month!!  Glad the latest W2CB challenge is here to get me back in the groove!

Our W2CB inspiration for our January/February challenge come to us from Meister Eckhart.

And suddenly you know: It's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.

So many ways to interpret this one.  I made a wedding card for friends who are SCUBA divers, and used my brand NEW Hero Arts stamps and NEW oxide inks.