Final Challenge

We are sad to announce that this will be our final challenge. Due to a lack of participation, we will not be continuing with the group in the new year. We are quite sad to see our group coming to an end. The majority of us have been together in one form or another for almost three years -- Beltway Bookworms had their first meeting in February 2004 -- and we've known others through the store and local clubs even longer.

For our final challenge, we're asking you to think back over your time with the group. Think of all of the new things that you have tried. What was your favorite? Use this technique or style to create a scrapbook page or papercraft. This month more than ever, we really look forward to seeing what you come up with.

We hope that you will stay in touch with us and let us know how you are doing. You can keep up with us through our blogs -- heidijean.typepad.com and leahnicole.typepad.com.

Finally, I end with a heartfelt thank you. Thank you for all of your hard work, creative ideas and friendship in the past. This is not an end, just a stepping stone to our next experiences together. We hope to see you around... have a great holiday!

Challenge #8

With the holidays right around the corner, we're challenging you to use a photo that you have taken over the past year to make a gift for a family or friend member. This would be a good time for you to "Think Outside the Box"(http://www.pineconepressbooks.com/largeImage.cfm?product=58)

We're looking forward to seeing what you create this month!

Challenge #7

This is a time of year where I find myself making lots of lists -- things to do, gifts to get, errands to run, etc. Why not use some of these list on our scrapbook pages? At a loss for what types of lists to include? Why not check out Scrapbook Shortcuts, Quizzes & Questions (http://www.simplescrapbooksmag.com/shop/item.ihtml?idx=425) for some great quizzes and layout examples.

We'd like to thank Janice, Sue & Kathy... who brought this great idea book to our attention at our Creative Coterie Meetup in October.

Challenge #6

I don't know about you, but when I think of November, I think of giving thanks. Well, before we get to that, let's take a moment to indulge. This month we're challenging you to create a layout or papercraft about your guilty pleasures. It might be something simple like ice cream or something a little different.... either way, we can't wait to see what you come up with!

Challenge #5

This time of year is synonymous with falling leaves, pumpkins and costumes -- and what costume would be complete without a mask?! This month we're challenging you to use masks on your layouts and papercrafting projects. We're not talking about the scary kind... but those that will let you create cook looks with some "white space."

Almost any product can serve as a masking tool. Here are just a few examples: premade masks/stencils (Heidi Swapp has a lot of great options), masking fluid (Dr. Ph. Martin's and Masquepens are two choices), assorted tools and embellishments (such as punches, frames and stickers) and even masking tape.

If you're looking for more direction, there are a couple great tutorials available at www.creatingkeepsakes.com/alphamasks and www.creatingkeepsakes.com/stampmasks. You can also check out the October 2006 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine for several more examples of masks in action.

We can't wait to see what you come up with!!

Challenge #4

For such a long time, trends were moving towards telling our stories fewer pictures and more words. But the truth is, how many people attend a party or event and take only one photo? Or end up with one picture that says it all? Well, the tides are turning and multiple photo layouts are back!! (Or, if you followed BH and her wonderful sketches, they never left.)

Our challenge to you this month is to celebrate any day this month. Choose any day this month and take that day's worth of pictures. Then, scrapbook those pictures in a one or two page layout. For example, we are planning to meet up on the 21st. Take 21 pictures that day and then do a layout using them all. Or, take 10 pictures of things that you love on the 10th and scrapbook them. Remember, this is a layout challenge.

Congratulations Nancy!

Congratulations are in order to Creative Coterie member, Nancy Kliewer. Nancy is the first place winner in the Scrapbook/Card Duo category for Hero Arts Summer Celebrations contest!!

Here are Nancy's winning designs.

Challenge #3

Earlier in the week, our country took time to remember the events that took place on September 11, 2001. For this challenge, we are asking you to think back five years and create a scrapbook or project inspired by those events. You may want to do a layout about what you were doing on 9/11 or how your life has changed since then, or maybe you'll even create some greeting cards to send over to our troops!

Challenge #2

Wow! It's hard to believe that the summer is coming to an end. With that in mind, we're challenging you to scrap 'how you spent your summer vacation.'

We can't wait to see what you've been up to!

Challenge #1

Inspired by Heidi's little secret we're challenging you to scrap one of your secrets. Maybe it's one you have right now, or had in the past... whatever it is, get it down in writing. Don't feel comfortable sharing it with the world?? That's what hidden journaling is for!

We can't wait to see what you come up with!!

Welcome to Creative Coterie's new & improved format!

New challenges will be posted here at the beginning and middle of each month. We'll shoot for the first and fifteenth... but sometimes life may step in the way of that ;)

After you have completed your creation (notice we didn't say scrapbook page... it could be a greeting card, paper craft, altered project, or whatever you come up with), post it to an online gallery, we're suggesting the gallery at http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/. Then leave a comment under the specific challenge on this blog, with a link to your work at 2Peas. Then other group members (as well as scrappers from around the world) will be able to view your work. It's that easy!