June 2015 Card Swaps

For the past few months, I've been involved in a group of crafty ladies that challenge each other monthly with a card swap.
What is a card swap? you ask....

Well, each person makes cards and then sends a card out to each person in their group. At the end of the month, you will have several different cards made by multiple people.
You can use these to mail out to friends or family, get ideas from, stare at for hours on end.... or as most of mine end up.... in my stash because I have a hard time sending them out to someone....

They are so creative and beautiful, it's hard to let them go.
We have some real talent in our group & I can just sit in awe of them.

This month our categories were: Red, White & Blue and Mystery. 

There are a few rules, but nothing too hard..... 

Remember this is a swap that was created to challenge you to try something new & step outside your box. 

Here are my cards:

Red, White & Blue

I created the above card from scraplifting an idea I saw from a friend who attended a Stampin' Up card class. Then I used blue & red cardstock to create the background. I cut out white stars with my Silhouette Cameo (I love that thing). I found a stamp in my collection that said "Let's Celebrate" and mounted it on blue cardstock to make it pop. The finishing touch was some White Shimmer Trim that has an adhesive back from Close to My Heart (Rachel Loesch).
P.S. That is why I love going to crops with my Close to My Heart consultant... she always has things on hand that I "must have" and make things work just right. Thanks Rachel!

Mystery

My "Mystery" card was a purse card. I used a cut file I found at MyScrapChick.com and cut all the pieces out from cardstock and patterned paper.
Have I mentioned that I love my Silhouette Cameo?
It is so versatile and I love being able to design & cut pretty much whatever I want.
Now, don't get me wrong... I do have issues... the weekend this was created I only had 1 mat & 1 blade with me and was having a heck of a time getting things to cut perfectly.
And if you know me, they have to be perfect... no way I can send things out that aren't.

Hope you enjoy & pick up a crafty bug along the way!