My Own Personal March Madness: Graphic 45 Design Team Audition 2016
Hello, Friends! It’s March, and here in North Carolina that means the grass is getting greener by the minute, the sky is a glorious shade of blue, soft breezes are blowing, flowers are blooming March Madness is dominating the airwaves and…yep…it’s time for the Graphic 45 Design Team Audition 2016! Given the fact that we are moving in just 17 days, I wasn’t going to try out this year. But last night I lay awake for hours because I knew that if I didn’t audition again this year, I would be kicking myself. So, with my house half in boxes, my studio and Closet of Shame in disarray, and elebenty hundred things to do, what did I do today? Stop laughing….you know what I did! I decided to audition. Consider it my own personal version of March Madness.
We are to share 3 projects that showcase our strengths and one tutorial. That’s hard to do when you create as many G45 projects as I do, but I’m ready to share 3 of my personal favorite projects made with G45 this year.
Project 1: Mon Amour Mixed Media Tag
I love this paper collection. A black tag base was covered with Mon Amour paper, then dry embossed with a texture fade, tapped with VersaMark ink, and then heat embossed with Stampendous Shabby White Embossing Enamel.
I fussy cut elements from the paper pad, and then layered them onto this stamped, die cut and inked butterfly. I love the soft femininity and artsy feel of this tag, and the mixed media elements were fun to play with. That’s why I chose this piece for my audition. It represents my love for fussy cutting, layering and using G45 in innovative ways. You can find more details on this mixed media tag HERE.
I created a companion 12x 12 layout for this project as well. You can learn more about it HERE.
Project 2: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Staples Book Box and ATC Tags
This is one of my all time favorite Christmas projects, and maybe one of my Top 10 favorite projects of all time. These little Staples Book Boxes are such fun to alter, and I love the playfulness of this paper collection. Creating the shaker medallion on the cover just added to the fun.
Miniature ornaments, rusty jingle bells and beautiful ribbon made for a festive feel.
The door of the book box opens to reveal a scene from the classic Christmas Poem with a wreath on the door and Santa standing beside a snow flocked tree.
There was just enough room inside for me to tuck in this ATC tag album, all decorated and ready for Santa! You can find all the details and photos of this project HERE.
Project 3: Children’s Hour Hello, Spring Card with Pocket
As much as I love making mini albums, creating layouts, playing with tags, stitching up banners, and designing off the page projects, in my heart of hearts I am a card maker. So no audition would be complete without sharing a card. To me, there is nothing more special than a hand made card. In a world where electronic greetings have become the standard and mailboxes are filled with bills and junk mail, a real, honest to goodness, crafted with love card is worth its weight in gold. Card making is a twice-blessed task: the person making the card experiences joy and satisfaction while making it and the person receiving the card feels loved and cared for when they open it.
I love to add lots of layers and dimension to my cards. Machine stitching, distressing, inked edges and metal elements are right at home with gorgeous ribbons, flowers, buttons and bows.
I have as much fun creating the inside of my cards as I do on the outside. Stamping, pockets, tags and trinkets make a card feel like a party!
A little tag like this can be used as a bookmark or hung up to decorate a work cubicle. And who doesn’t love a good hot cuppa?
World’s Fair Get Well Pocket Tutorial on Snapguide
One of the things I love about working with Graphic 45 is the many different ways you can create with their product line. For the tutorial segment of this audition, I turned a Staples Large Ivory tag into a Get Well Pocket and then filled it up with goodies.
You can learn all about it in this Snapguide tutorial:
Congratulations on top 30 and best of luck!
Congratulations on making the Top 30!
Lovely projects 🙂
Good luck in the final round:)
Greetings, Padoriaa
Fingers crossed for you Kathy!!!!!
Your projects are stunning! Love them all! Congrats on top 30 and best of luck!!
Finally had time to look at the Snapguide…wowza! So happy you made top 30. Cannot wait for you to join the team!
Congrats on making the top 30!! Good luck to you!
Hi Kathy, Congratulations on making the top 30! I know what you are feeling right now! Your projects are fab. Love the paper combinations. It will be exciting to see everyones’ final submission. Good luck to us all for the second round! Hugs Helen x
Congratulations on making the Top 30! Your work is lovely 🙂 Wishing you all the best! xoxo Aneta
CONGRATULATIONS, Kathy!!! Good luck with your move this weekend! Many hugs and prayers!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! You are one of the top 30 finalists and I’m rooting for you 100%!!! Now on to your move and the next steps in your journey. I am so pleased for you, my friend!
Hugs and best wishes for a smooth move this weekend!
Kris
Kathy, I’m here and have been, rooting you on! I just haven’t been able to catch up with all the commenting I’ve missed by having a fickle computer and previous computer blow ups! But I think today is the day! All of your work with G45 is incredible (as you are!) and they would be smart to choose you for the team! Praying for you, girl! Hugs!
A huge gigantic Wooooo Hooooo. You are a top thirty finalist. So deserved and I am over joyed with your success on ward to two round two and my thoughts are with you for your success. I a so pleased for,you. And again Woooooo Hooooooo.
Kathy- I don’t know how you were able to choose your projects because all of your G45 projects are top shelf!
Best of luck, Kathy! I am rooting for you and I hope to see your name on the G45 list!
Hugs
Wow Kathy, you picked great projects to showcase! They would be just crazy not to choose you for their team, you rock their products all the time, not just for the audition!! I’m sending all my best wishes, I know you would be such a pro-star for them!! hugs 🙂
Kathy, your work is so wonderful! And we love when you share projects with Graphic 45! We are always so inspired by you. Thanks for sharing your work with us! We are so honored your submitted for our Design Team! Happy Papercrafting, Charee and Joanna from Graphic 45
Working with Graphic 45 brings me great joy! It’s is I who am honored to have you visit my blog! Thank you so much for this lovely, encouraging comment! And thanks for keeping me inspired with your gorgeous papers, chippies, and Staples! Have fun on the cruise!
Hoping with everything for your success this year your audition is awesome
well of COURSE they will choose you!!! you are probably one of the top 10 most talented crafters EVER, so they would love to have you as part of their team!!! you inspire me constantly with every wonderful thing you create. these are only a little smidgen of your gorgeous talent! I know we will soon be hearing the great news that you have been selected! 🙂
With all you have going on it’s a testament to your wanting and worthiness! You amaze me! These are all gorgeous! If they don’t pick you, shame on them!
These projects are truly spectacular. The designs are lovely and your work is technically perfect and you capture it all in the most amazing photos. Your work is a constant inspiration to me and I’m always blown away at how unique your projects are while maintaining your special Kathyness. I would pick you in an instant not only for your design skill but your professionalism and dedication to sharing informative and lovely posts always on time and with a writing talent I only dream of having. I also know you are a consummate team player and have helped many(including myself) to keep things running smoothly. I’m praying for you to make the team because I believe you belong there…and I’m confident they will think so too!! Good Luck to you my BOLB. Ever in your corner……hugs from me…Kimchee
All your entries are amazing. I am praying for you my friend. You would be such an asset to the team and I’m wishing you the very best of luck. I can’t wait to hear!
Love what you did with these papers. Hugs
If I was in charge, you would be on the team in an instant! All these are just beautiful and truly show off your tremendous talent. All my most positive and persuasive thoughts are aiming right at Diane and Graphic 45.
Hugs,
Kris
You have nothing to worry about! You are going to make it easily and they would be crazy in the head not to have you join the team. Heck you are already a “team” player using their papers and all. So I will be waiting to hear your next entry about how much they adore you!
Love all the things you have made here Kathy and also the fact that you are moving so soon and still managed to wow everyone!!! Congrats my friend on this wonderful blog entry!
hugz from Victoria BC
Well done, my friend. Good choices! I am praying for you and wish you the best. I know they wil be lucky to have you. You are a master at layering and at techniques! I will be waiting to hear good news!! Hugs!
Each is as lovely and interesting and inspiring as the next and I simply keep going back to each one to take in more detail and see new bits and pieces of lovely that I missed before. The very best of luck to you (today it’s definitely the luck o’ the Irish, lass).
You know how much I love these!
Kathy, your work is truly amazing! The way you use G45’s beautiful graphics is really perfection. Each of these pieces are beautiful and showcases so many examples of your talent, your eye for details that really compliment each other, your beautiful craftsmanship and how professionally done your pieces are. Good luck, my friend. G45 would be lucky to have you on board!!!
You go girl!!!! Ha Ha Ha I did the same thing, lol. It would be almost wrong to not at least try. Especially since we are their favorite cheerleading designers!!! Good luck!!!! Oh and I’ll let you ship me that Christmas project…..gorgeous!
All your projects a stunning! Best of luck to you!
You go girl! Best of luck! Your projects are stunning and G45 would be so blessed to have you! Big Hugs!
The very best of luck to you! Your work is so lovely and detailed and inspiring, you just have to be selected!
All the luck in the world my lovely friend Kathy. Your work is always outstanding and so inspirational. The Christmas box is my all time favourite of yours, it’s just so magical. We are having a week of wonderful weather in the UK, by day sunshine and frosty nights. I’m still here by the way it got cancelled yet again Hugs x
Thank you, Carol! It one of my top picks, too! Your kind words warmed my heart!
They are all beautiful. Good luck.
THank you, Shirley! I’m so blessed to have you all hearing me on!
I can’t imagine them not choosing you. You’re a genius!!!
Thank you Janet! You touched my heart with these kind words!!! I know it has a lot to do with what spots they are needing to fill.
Oh my goodness Kathy, how could they NOT pick you for part of their team? Your style is perfect for working with the Graphic 45 products and you are always thinking outside the box. Best of luck to you and thanks for inspiring me with these amazing projects!
Thank you Karen….you made my day!!!!
You work wonders with their products!
Thank you MJ…I sure do love working with them!