This card is my 'homework' for Day 3...yes I am working backwards now.  The subject was 'hard to use patterns.'  I loved this paper from the Basic Grey Cappella line, but never could find a use for it.  Here it is cut up into strips with a simple sentiment added.  The bow is really a good match for the plum color in the pattern although it looks really purple here! I do like the card. It is not my favorite new technique but it is a completed card!

Day 5 in the online class Pattern Play was all about paper manipulation.  I tried out 2 of the ideas.  This first one is quilted strips of MME paper - all in subtle prints.  The picture does not do the paper justice, it is very soft and pretty.  I also created a flower with the Tim Holtz tattered floral die.  The idea for the flower came from Jennifer McGuire's blog and you can find the information here.

The second card was done by weaving strips of paper - again I used MME paper.  The ruffle at the bottom was created with washi tape and the bow is seam binding.  The butterfly is a two part die by Memory Box and I added some black pearls for added interest.  Everything was popped up with dimensional adhesives on a craft card.  I am enjoying this class and highly recommend it!  Thanks for visiting.

I am a bit behind, put here are my Day 2 projects from Pattern Play.  This is Jennifer's lesson on using a large background stamp, embossing with clear powder and then inking the entire piece.  This will change the background color of the paper, leaving the original color peaking through the embossing.  Both cards used a graph paper by Basic Grey and the  paper was stamped and embossed with a Hero Arts bamboo stamp.  MME papers were used for accents in a small and medium sized print.  Ribbon used was the bright 'busy' part of the design.  All of the colors are a bit brighter than they photographed.

Now it is on to more creative work for Day 3...

I signed up for a new online class with teachers Jennifer Mcguire and Kristina Werner. I have taken one class in person with Jennifer at a trade show as well as another online class.  This one is titled  "Pattern Play" and besides admiring her work, I could use some pointers on choosing pattern paper for cards.  Usually I just go with papers by the same manufacturer but this will challenge me a bit more.  Forgive the sideways picture.  I am sure it is an easy fix - but not one that I know!
I chose paper from authentique, echo park, creative imaginations, and ctmh using the bold/basic/blah method. Jennifer's multiple diecutting method intrigued me so I found a fairly simple shape, taped them together, and ran it through my machine several times.  I then pieced it back together using her tips for separating the layers.  My favorite (and most successful,) was the distress inks.  I use them so often in my work that I found it easy to do.  The marker did not work well for me nor did the backing each shape on white paper.  I think the shape was a bit too complicated for neat cutting or else I am bad at cutting. I wound up using the distress ink on these cards instead.  I did like using the dimensional adhesive to layer each piece so one card has this method.  I'm pleased with the results and plan to send them off to some friends.