Hey everyone!
Happy Monday! I know, I know, Mondays are tough. We all need a little tonic to help us get through the day. Luckily there’s a new challenge in town to help us do just that – the Cure For The Monday Blues Challenge!!
This is a challenge which I’ve created myself, yay me! Every Monday I will bring you a photo inspiration challenge, with images that focus on lifting us out of those Monday doldrums and all inspired to create!! I’ll be asking you to play along as well and linking up your creations! At the end of each week I’ll pick a Top 3 who’ll be my Cures For The Monday Blues and receive a special badge to add to your blog!!
This challenge is in its seventeenth week now – over 4 months old!! Time sure flies! Thank you to everyone who has given it love and support and helped it to grow!
In case you missed this previous post, please read on for some of the recent changes made to the Challenge – including info on how to be in with a chance of becoming a Guest Designer!
Today’s challenge is an extra special, I-can’t-believe-it’s-even-happening one as I get to introduce a very, *very* special Guest Designer indeed!!
When I first introduced the concept of Guest Designers, I put a little disclaimer in stating that if I ever dared to dream, I would wish to welcome some beyond-superstar-status Designers as extra special Guests. I really thought my head was in the clouds with this notion! So it definitely feels like all my Christmases have come at once to be here today to welcome my very, *very* Special Guest today!!
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*drumroll please*
This amazing *amazing* lady needs no introduction, but here’s a little about Jennifer for those of not in the know:
You can currently find Jennifer’s work at Online Card Classes; at the Hero Arts blog and website and in their catalog; and, of course, at her own blog, Jennifer McGuire Ink. Jennifer resides in Cincinnati with her husband Ken, stepdaughter Audrey, son Colin, and daughter Lila. Her stepdaughter Kay attends college in Texas.“
Speaking of Online Card Classes, and generosity, be sure to read to the end of this post as I have a Giveaway for you!!
Want a chance to be picked as a future Guest Designer? Read on!
I will pick one designer a month to join me in a Cure For The Monday Blues Challenge. The Guest Designer will create a project for one of the weeks in that month and be showcased on my blog when that challenge plays out! The first Guest Designer will be announced next week!!
- The Guest Designer will receive a special badge to promote themselves on their blog and social media channels, where appropriate. I will also give you a shout-out on my FB, promote your work, and add your project to a special new Pinterest Board reserved just for Guest Designers!
- In addition to this, as a special ‘Thank You’ for their efforts, the Guest Designer will be gifted with a $15 gift certificate to an online crafting store of their choice!
- Guest Designers will be selected from previous participants of the challenge. To be eligible you must have created and submitted to at least 3 previous challenges and been chosen as a Top 3 Cure at least once. The entries/wins don’t have to be within a single month, if you have entered 3 times in the whole history of the challenge and won once then you are eligible! I’m hoping this will encourage and reward true supporters of the challenge!
- Guest Designers will be required to promote the Cure For The Monday Blues Challenge and encourage others to play along during the week they are featured (and any other time you wish to, of course!). You are required to post your project at the same time as the challenge goes live. Promotion can be on your blog and/or social media channels of your choice. Some of you are true lovers of the challenge and already give it shout-outs which I am so thankful for! Together we can help this challenge continue to grow!
Right then. Back to business, lol!
Before we get to this week’s challenge I want to thank all of you that submitted entries for the last challenge. They were all truly beautiful entries and you did not make my life easy when choosing the winners!! I really wanted to pick you all!! Here are my Top 3 Cures For The Monday Blues:
Winners please contact me to be sent your challenge winner’s badges!
Yet again I had some absolutely amazing entries, oh how I truly *agonise* each week picking out only a Top 3! All of you have really been putting in some amazing designs and it makes me so happy when you play, so please keep playing along!
So are you excited to get this week’s challenge under way?! I know I am!! Let’s see what’s up for this week’s inspiration:
I could not love this more!! Such delightful, soft colours, cute accents and so many fun avenues for your imagination and creativity to explore! I can’t wait to see what you all do with this one!!
Here’s what my amazing, extra-special Guest Designer Jennifer came up with!
Awww!!! Can you say ‘cute’!!! Isn’t her card amazing?!?!
Jennifer was inspired by the colours and happiness of the inspiration and came up with this adorable baby card! She also liked how eclectic everything is in the photo, and this reflected in her choice of supplies (Tim Holtz and Avery Elle) too! I am just crazy about that embossing paste background and adorable little mouse with the blush on his cheeks! Awesome colouring!!
You really must check out Jennifer’s blog where she’s not only given more details on her card, but there’ll also be a video of her making this cute card later today too!! Jennifer’s videos are always piled high with tips and techniques and this one is no exception, so you definitely don’t want to miss it!!
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***Giveaway alert!!!***
I mentioned that Jennifer is generous, and here is just one example of that! She has very kindly offered me a spot on the latest ‘Watercolor for Cardmakers’ course from Online Card Classes to give away to one of you!!
You don’t have to be an Impressionist painter to create watercolor masterpieces! Explore the many different (and easy!) ways to create beautiful watercolor effects in Online Card Classes’ Watercolor for Cardmakers.
Join Kristina Werner, Jennifer McGuire, Jennifer Rsaza, and friends for a fun-filled, all-video, two-week course packed with inspiring, approachable techniques. Starting with easy soft sky washes and progressing to darling hand-painted images, this class is tailor-made for the both the aspiring artist and the cardmaker who wants to add to her go-to collection of on-trend techniques.
Class includes over 35+ videos and even more card ideas from top artists with a variety of styles. Visit Online Card Classes to sign up for Watercolor for Cardmakers today, and discover for yourself the fantastic looks you can create with watercolors! (Class started May 5 but you will have lifetime access to the content so you can join any time!)
Want to win a spot on this class? Just leave a comment on this post commenting on the cards today, or the challenge itself, and tell me what your favourite way of Curing The Monday Blues is!!
AND if you create an entry for this week’s challenge you can leave a second comment to double your chances!! As mentioned above, class has already started but you get lifetime access to the content so you can join any time!! I’m taking this class myself and it is *amazing*!!!
I’ll leave this contest running until 11pm BST/6pm EST on Sunday 18th May before picking a winner. Good luck everyone!!!
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Jennifer, I cannot begin to express my thanks for everything you’ve done! You have been the most amazing Guest and I’ve so enjoyed working with you! A million thanks – you are awesome!!
Jennifer now joins my special Pinterest ‘Guest Designers’ Board! I’m really looking forward to filling up this board with future Guest Designers too!
I’m not sure exactly how I follow up after all that! But here is my take on the inspiration:
*squeals* I am so very happy with how this turned out!!!
Wondering where those main colours came from?! I took inspiration from the pile of books from one of the compartments of the tree! I started with a Pure White card base and adhered a piece of patterned paper from one of the Studio Calico card kits (the design is from American Crafts’ Dear Lizzy line). I then punched out 4 circles from the same cardstock, and used A:Muse ink in Shell and Versamagic ink in Aqua Splash to add the pops of colour. I punched out one circle of Lemon Tart cardstock too, then adhered all my circles using Pinflair Glue Gel.
I then cut a length of gold thread and adhered it in places using Glossy Accents. I stamped the sentiment from Altenew’s Label Love set using SU! ink in Blushing Bride and adhered in place with Pinflair. I added a few sequins and I was all done!!
So now it’s your turn to cure the Monday Blues! Here’s how to participate in the challenge!
The Rules
- Create a brand new project using the photo inspiration
- Post on your blog or to an online photo album. Ensure you link up to this challenge post in your blog post and include the inspiration photo
- If it is not obvious how the image inspired you then please explain your process in your post
- Link up your creations to this post using the Inlinkz below. Please use the link to your actual post rather than the link to your blog
- You can enter as many times as you like!
- The deadline for linking submissions is Sunday 18th May at 11pm BST/6pm EST
PS: if you would like to check out all of the previous challenge images you can see them here on my Pinterest board!
Absolutely love Jennifer's card. The best cure I have for the Monday blues is to skip them and not go to work. Lol. (But I don't get to do that very often. )
Hmmm, I am very temped to play…. have to find some time for it….lovely inspiration picture. I don't suffer from Monday blues, so no cure for me 😉
I cure the Monday blues by hurrying home from work to play with ink and stamps!
This is gorgeous!! I love the soft colors, and the ombre background!! Thanks for the chance to win…I would LOVE to take this class!! 🙂
I always love the way Jennifer makes you feel welcome and seems to be one of your friends when she shares her tremendous talents with us. Thanks so much for the chance to win the watercolor class–would love to be the winner!! ;o}
Love both cards, but the spots and gold thread really grabbed me! I have yet to find a cure for the Monday blues, perhaps a spot in the watercolour class will be it 😉
Love the card and the colors are beautiful. Thank you for the chance to win.
I love the soft colours of the challenge…usually I just check out blogs on monday to fill up on inspiration! Jennifer is a great teacher and her work is amazing.
Oh dear, you've got me, Taheera. I watched Jennifer's video and then stared at the inspiration photo, willing myself to come up with something ( I didn't want to do baby cards) and BOOM – 6 cards from just one photo! I'll be adding each card until the end of the challenge. Sorry for spamming the entries 😀
Fabulous guest designer!! I just love Jennifer!!! I have learned so much from watching her and her techniques!!! These cards are fabulous too!! Too cure my Monday Blues I read all my favorite blogs ( one being Jennifer) and then spending time crafting with my daughter who now lives next door to me! Yippee!!!
Adorable baby cards! I'm hoping to get in on this challenge…..I have a friend who is expecting and was planning to make something for her anyway! 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
i am loving the inspiration pics you choose. I have been drooling over that new card class… oh oh oh, pick me!
Jennifer's card: I love the texture and the banner and the colors. Took a lot of work! This class sounds terrific! Thanks!
YAY for Jennifer as your guest – both of your cards are absolutely STUNNING!!! What fabulous inspiration!!!
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My Monday blues cure is to lose myself in something creative. Thx so much for the chance to win, I have been drooling over this class!
Love the inspiration photo, so many ways to interpret the image. How to beat the Monday Blues is meet up with friends for coffee and a chat every Monday, no matter what.
Mondays are my day to unwind from the weekend. But now that school is almost out, I have to find a new way! This site I'm sure will help!
I discovered your blog via Jennifer's. I love challenges so I'll be back! I hope I get to play in this week's challenge. To beat the Monday blues, I look forward to the evening at home with my hubby and I usually craft Monday nights too.
Love the cards, and it's nice to hear about a new challenge! My cure for the Monday blues is to go down to my craft area and create something!
I love, love, love the technique Jennifer used to make the background of this card. I haven't experimented with embossing paste yet, but I'm going to give it a try.
And my cure for the Monday blues is music. Van Morrison or Bonnie Raitt can always lift my spirits!
I came over from Jennifer's blog. Would love to win a spot in the watercolor class. Her mouse card is adorable and love the texture.
slrdowney at hotmail dot com
That Jennifer McGuire is something! and i've been dying to try out one of the online classes. what a great gift. thank you for curing the blues with this amazing challenge. i have been living under a rock and didn't realize you had this amazing challenge going. you rock! and your card is just fabulous. i love that paper line and it's a perfect card base for your fabulous, sweet card.
how do i cure the monday blues? make sure to exercise – gives a great start and momentum to the week; or stick in some music to get me through the day.
I love Jennifer too. I have learnt a lot from her & I always like that when you pose a question, she will always get back to you & when she does I always feel happy coz she is a celebrity from the crafting world. I love her cards & the lovely shading she achieved with the copics. I love your card with the soft circles & the gold thread. My cure for Monday blues is take a peak at Hero Arts blog or splitcoast for new cards to inspire me.
Jennifer McGuire never ceases to inspire me! As far as the Monday blues go, I spent today (a very dreary Monday) in my studio, working with paper & ink and the day flew by! It works for me!
Great cards. If I get a chance I will give it a try. Thanks.
Beautiful cards! I'm a fan of Jennifer! Crafting is definitely a great cure for the Monday blues. 🙂
Would love to win this class! I love Jennifer. She is always inspiring!! I just love crafting to cure the Monday blues!!
Taheerah, you crack me up! Marvelous post, and I am so happy you snagged Jennifer for your feature 🙂
Both cards are amazing – I applaud you both 🙂
What a fun week for your challenge! I love your card, I know that it is a play on the inspiration piece, but it just reminds me of the ocean/summer. LOVE.
Congratulations to all three very worthy winners! Wow – you weren't wrong about having a "very" special guest designer this week! Jennifer's and your cards are both lovely, as is this week's inspiration photo. Reading crafty blogs and stamping are my cures for the Monday blues. Please don't enter me into the draw for the online card class though, as I am already participating and really enjoying it!
Goodness, Jennifer's card is extraordinary! Love the new inspiration photo and your interpretation of it! As for curing the Monday blues, I like to treat myself to a frap from Starbucks!
Love the beautiful inspiration photo, and Jennifer's card and your card, Taheerah, are both fabulous!
Wow!! Totally gorgeous inspiration! That is so awesome that Jennifer is the guest! Her card is as sweet as can be (love the background!). I really love the punched circles on your card. The paint chip paper is perfect! Hmmmm…a cure for the Monday Blues? Probably chatting with friends. 🙂
I just found this site from Jennifer's you tube video, fantastic idea! Love the gradient background on your card, and of course Jen's is fabulous too. Inspiration is the perfect way to beat a case of the Mondays.
I love Jennifer's stuff. My favorite way to cure the Monday Blues is to watch a Kid's Snippets video on YouTube. They make every Monday better! And now that I've found you, Monday just got bumped to better than Tuesday! 🙂
Well I'm happy I found my way over here…. This is so fun and just what the doctor ordered for my Mondays! 🙂
This challenge rocks, and so do you Taheerah! This month you bring the crème de la crème of the designers out there. Amazing to see Jennifer's take and your own for #17 challenge. What a delicious baby bedroom as inspiring photo. As for the Monday blues… I don't think I have those, but if I do, I cure by seeing all the beauty shared by talented people. Thanks for picking my card again and for the chance to win a spot at OCC.
Popping over from Jennifer's blog. She is awesome, so congrats for getting her as a guest designer. I haven't had the Monday Blues in such a long time I can't even think of a cure, or wait, maybe I can…… do what I did, RETIRE.
I just discovered this blog and am happy to learn about the Monday challenges. Thanks for a chance to win the water-coloring class!!
Love love the mouse card…so cute….the second card is so feminine and colorful…YAY!! for Jennifer… she is amazing…always appreciate the tips form her…thank you for a chance to win a spot in this class…i have wanted to take it to learn water coloring.
WoW! I love Jennifer's blog and how easy she makes techniques look. And if she's giving a shout-out to you, that means you're doing something amazing too! My cure for Monday blues, and every other day is to read the blogs of inspiring people (like Jennifer- actually I save hers for last), so adding you on my reading list today! Looking forward to what you come up with next!
I love both of your cards and use of the colors from the photo inspiration! I popped over here from Jennifer's blog and glad I did! Hope to participate in some challenges!
Well done you for getting such a amazing guest designer!!
You've picked another amazing inspiration piece and to add the cherry on top…Jennifer Maguire. WOW! How fantastic can you get. Looking at both your's and her card, I'd say you both nailed it. Really love this challenge because it, well…challenges me.
What a TREAT to see Jennifer's and your take on this inspiration! Gorgeous and inspiring cards!! ( Way to go, Taheerah! )
Such a lovely post, amazing artist in having Jennifer and the inspiration with your cure for the Monday's challenge:-). Thanks for a chance to win a spot in that fabulous class!!!
Beautiful take on the inspiration photo. What an amazing guest design error you have this week!! Honestly, playing your challenge seems like a good cure for the blues. Your inspiration photos are always so cheery. I need to make time for this!!
Fabulous Guest Designer and inspiration photo, T.! I love what you both created with it!
I don't know if I have a cure of the Monday Blues… but I do enjoy playing along with your challenges when I get the chance!
Wow: fabulous new photo AND Jennifer AND two awesome cards! This combination certainly cured my Monday Blues! Congrats to the winners, too – such incredibly inspiration! My Cure for the Monday Blues…a cup of coffee, toast with peanut butter, and scrolling through my Feedly to decide what challenges have piqued my interest. That trio always makes Monday a little easier to take…Thanks for the challenges, and for the On Line Class opportunity!
c
Awesome new challenge and Yay for Jennifer McGuire! So inspired by both of your cards…can't wait to play along!
Thanks for the shout out Taheerah! It means a ton to me! Your challenges seem to always 'speak to me'…love seeing the inspiration photo that you pick every week.