In the Spotlight + Mini Challenge... Lynne Kirsch

Hi!!! I'm Lynne - one of the newest Design Team Members of Anything But a Card Challenges. I live in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania which is close to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States and have lived in this area all of my life. 

I'm the proud Grandma of 5 beautiful grandchildren - Zack (age 9), Sasha (age 9), Nick (age 8), Lily (age 3) Adam (age 1). They are the light of my life and as I tell Lily, make my heart sing! I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis over 4 years ago which affects my eyesight which limits the amount of time I craft - but I try not to let that stop me!!!!

I've been crafting as long as I can remember learning how to knit and crochet from my grandmother and aunt. I had lived with my grandmother and grandfather where I also learned another love of mine - cooking!!! 

When I was in Junior High, my aunt taught me how to sew my own clothing as I was embarrassed by wearing hand-me-downs which were my aunt's clothing and she was 18 years older than I was.

When I was a Senior in High School, I had won a local contest with making an outfit along with making the costumes for the musical "Oklahoma" and the play, "You Can't Take it With You". My hopes and dreams at this point had been to be a dress designer for the movies but life had other ideas in store for me. 

Sewing became my life-saver and support mechanism after I had left my first husband as that is how I became a stay-at-home mom with my daughter and able to support her and myself. I loved to make Jen clothes and her Halloween costumes until she decided she was too old to wear homemade and to dress-up for Halloween. 

I made wedding gowns, including my first wedding gown along with my sister's wedding gown which the picture is posted below.

Yes, I did marry a second time and even a third time but I'm rushing my story - Bob and I had a beautiful daughter, Molly, that was born having a Grand Mal Seizure and a Stroke at birth causing her to be a quadriplegic - 

I was blessed as the doctor's gave her 3 to 6 months but she surprised them all by living to be 25 months. Sewing was still my passion and making matching clothing for her and her sister but when she passed in October 1991, my world fell apart as I no longer had a baby to hold and love. Here is where my passion became doll making and sculpting. I had taken sculpting classes from the Godfather of Dolls, Lewis Goldstein. 

   

I also began making quilts at this time with my first quilt being that of scraps of Molly's dresses and another of my grandmother's aprons.

Some of my quilts had become Award Winners whether it be in a Quilt Show or a Challenge Quilt where you are given 5 pieces of fabric to incorporate into a wall hanging. 

I still make some clothing for my granddaughters - Sasha loved the movie Annie and wanted a dress for her and her doll dressed as Annie.

  

...and of course quilts for my grandchildren.

April 2007, I shattered my left wrist and arm and have plates in my arm along with the tendons replaced in my hand which has limited my hand quilting but I have taught myself to use my left hand again.

   

This is where my love for paper piecing, card making, scrapbook pages for my grandchildren and machine embroidery has come into place. 

My motto has been to live life to the fullest and to not let anything stop me and I'm thrilled to be part of the Anything But a Card Challenges Design Team. Hope you have some time to check me out at my blog, Her Craftiness. 

Oh yeah, as to my third marriage, I'm sorry to say that I left him about 3 years ago but I'm happy as I've reconnected with a previous love - I guess there is a Happily Ever After! 

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Now, as to my Mini Challenge to you is to make a Post-it-Note Holder which is amazingly simple as easy to make. Please join me over at my blog, Her Craftiness for a complete tutorial at how to create your own and play along!

You will need one (1) sheet 8-1/2 x 11 sheet cardstock... and you can get three (3) post-it-note holders from one (1) sheet... CLICK HERE to jump to tutorial!

I can't wait to see your Post-it Note Holders and to hear your comments as always - will your comment be the next? Next Sunday we will be back with a brand new challenge.

Much love, hugs, and friendship ~ Lynne

** A NOTE: This challenge has been extended

to November 8th to give more time

to play along with this wonderful Challenge**

An InLinkz Link-up

Featured Artists for STEAMPUNKtember Challenge No. 39

Good Morning!!! Thanks to everyone who joined us for our "Autumn Magic / Spring Wonder" Challenge #40... a creative celebration of the changing seasons! If you missed out on seeing all of the amazing submissions... please CLICK HERE to view week number one; HERE for week 2 and HERE for week 3 of our Design Team inspiration. All of the submissions are AMAZING so you don't want to miss out on all the Steampunk creations!

Presenting the Featured Artists for
Challenge No. 39 - STEAMPUNKtember... 

Susan

Dionne

Kerstin F.

Congratulations! 

Feel free to snag our badge for your blog!

We hope you join us later today with a new Artist Spotlight + Mini Challenge! Have a fabulous Sunday :)

Welcome to Week 3 of "Autumn Magic/Spring Wonder" Challenge No. 40 at Anything But a Card Challenges

Good Morning Everyone! Today begins week 3 of our "Autumn Magic/Spring Wonder" Challenge No. 40 and more fabulous creations by our designers celebrating the seasons of fall, of spring... or BOTH!

Just a reminder as there seems to be a bit of confusion this go round... THIS CHALLENGE IS NOT AN OPEN THEME. Please read below for instructions and prompt for the theme "Autumn Magic/Spring Wonder" for Anything But a Card Challenges No. 40.

The current Challenge... is one that is in celebrating the change of seasons. For Anything But a Card Challenges No. 40 use the prompt "Autumn Magic / Spring Wonder" to inspire your muse. Since we have two hemispheres that are on opposite seasons, we thought that we would include both seasons in this challenge. So those of us coming out of winter can create and celebrate spring and those of us starting to feel the heat of summer fade away can create for the autumn season... or if you are inclined – combine the two as some of our designers have done.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Please share any current project you have created and JUST REMEMBER... create anything EXCEPT a card for this challenge. Please mention and LINK BACK to this challenge { http://anythingbutacard.blogspot.com/2014/10/celebrating-seasons-of-change-for-week.html }. ALSO - Please new projects only {no-backlinking}. :)

**A REMINDER** This Challenge will go through midnight October 25th giving you 1 more week to play along and ENJOY the creative process! We will share more of our Design Team's creations each Sunday to keep you inspired.

Let's see what part of our DT has created!!

Please click on the designers' name to visit their blog. We hope you’ll take a minute to go see their work up close... and as long as you’re there – please leave them a little love!

Jennie

As I am very much in the north I have made an Autumn Magic hanging using those fabulous autumnal Distress Ink colours - Rusty Hinge, Wild Honey and Aged Mahogany.  There are more details and pictures on my blog.

Di

This month I have completed a reverse canvas featuring elements from both Autumn and Spring. The basis was a yin / yang piece, with hand- drawn leaves and flowers. Lots of experimenting with different colours, acrylic paints, sprays and distress stains on various papers gave me the basis for leaves and flowers. Pop on over to my blog to see how this was done.

Margaret

The wonderful fall leaves on our trees inspired me to create an autumn project. My altered birdhouse received a few fall leaves of its own! Please visit my blog for more details!

Christi

My Spooky Skeleton Shadow Box is my interpretation of "Autumn Magic" - Halloween is my favorite holiday and Autumn is my favorite time of year! Check out my blog for information on how I made this spook-tacular creation!

Jo

BOO !! For this challenge, as my favorite season is Autumn, that is the one I went for... and of course Halloween. Not really done much for Halloween before so I thought I would challenge myself and delve into this genre. Here is a tag I made full of Tim Holtz goodness. If you would like to see how I created this piece please don't hesitate to pop on over to my blog and take a quick peek.

Brenda

This year I've seen so many bottle and yarn creations it's addicting. I've pinned a gazillion things and knew I wanted to create a few. For this challenge I created a fabulous pumpkin vase. Visit my blog for more details.

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We hope our designers have you INSPIRED to take some time to be creative!! We can't wait to see your creations and we hope that you will join in and share them with us! Stop back next Sunday a brand new Artist Spotlight + Mini Challenge. Have a wonderfully creative Sunday!

An InLinkz Link-up

"Autumn Magic / Spring Wonder" Anything But a Card Challenges No. 40 - Week 2

Good Morning Everyone! Last Sunday we launched a BRAND NEW Challenge No. 40 here at Anything But a Card Challenges! CLICK HERE if you missed the fabulous creations by our designers celebrating the seasons of fall, of spring... or BOTH!

Just a reminder as there seems to be a bit of confusion this go round... THIS CHALLENGE IS NOT AN OPEN THEME. Please read below for instructions and prompt for the theme "Autumn Magic/Spring Wonder" for Anything But a Card Challenges No. 40.

The current Challenge... is one that is in celebrating the change of seasons. For Anything But a Card Challenges No. 40 use the prompt "Autumn Magic / Spring Wonder" to inspire your muse. Since we have two hemispheres that are on opposite seasons, we thought that we would include both seasons in this challenge. So those of us coming out of winter can create and celebrate spring and those of us starting to feel the heat of summer fade away can create for the autumn season... or if you are inclined – combine the two as some of our designers have done.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Please share any current project you have created and JUST REMEMBER... create anything EXCEPT a card for this challenge. Please mention and LINK BACK to this challenge { http://anythingbutacard.blogspot.com/2014/10/celebrating-seasons-of-change-for-week.html }. ALSO - Please new projects only {no-backlinking}. :)

**A REMINDER** This Challenge will go through midnight October 25th giving you 2 weeks to play along and ENJOY the creative process! We will share more of our Design Team's creations each Sunday to keep you inspired.

Let's see what part of our DT has created!!

Please click on the designers' name to visit their blog. We hope you’ll take a minute to go see their work up close... and as long as you’re there – please leave them a little love!

Rupa

I have created a rustic candle holder in autumnal colors! The candle holder is an altered brown tape ring... lots of textures, layers of color and bejeweled too! The leaves are all treated to different techniques... distress crackle, UTEE, heat embossing, stamping and inking. The vintage image has been given a shattered glass look. Please visit my BLOG for more details.

Pallavi

For my inspiration piece I attempted to create a mixed media painting of Autumn woods. It has some awesome texture owing to the use of layers of Gesso, crackle, paints, Washi tape and mica flakes. Check out my BLOG to see some close ups and information on how this was done.

Elaine

I created this birdhouse altered using paint, stamps, Tim Holtz Ranger Distress Inks, and moss coloured using Dylusions Sprays. Visit my BLOG to see my creative twist on Challenge No. 40!

Toni

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn"... Elizabeth Lawrence

Hi there everyone, wherever you are in the world you are either watching the season turn to spring or fall. Using a picture frame I found on clearance,  I created a window for watching the seasons turn. I used Flower Soft on all my foliage for some wonderful dimension and texture. Drop by my BLOG to view more pictures and my Snapguide website for a step by step tutorial.

Lynne

Fall is my very most favorite time of the year and I may have got carried away with my projects not only for fall but for Halloween and Thanksgiving {three in all}! This is a mini wall hanging using a simple pattern from Nancy Halversen Such An Angel with just a few minor alterations - since when do I ever follow a pattern step-by-step! Come check out my projects along with all instructions at Her Craftiness - I can't wait to see what your creations are!

Neva

My artful presentation for a seasonal fragrance candle. This would make a wonderful hostess gift for Thanksgiving, or a great way to decorate your home for the Autumn season. Check out my BLOG for a tutorial and additional photos and Celebrate Beauty! 

Rita Marie

This picture was done using Pan Pastels on water color paper. This is a sweet gypsy girl enjoying a walk on a lovely Fall Day. She looks like she may be dreaming about her sweetheart. If you would like to see more of my work please visit my BLOG. 

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We hope our designers have you INSPIRED to take some time to be creative!! We can't wait to see your creations and we hope that you will join in and share them with us! Stop back next Sunday to see more of our Design Team creations!

An InLinkz Link-up

Celebrating the Seasons of Change for Week 1 of Anything But a Card Challenges No. 40

Good Morning Everyone! It's a brand new month and time for a brand new ABAC Challenge to excite your creative muse. Last Sunday we announced our brand new Designers here at Anything But a Card Challenges! CLICK HERE if you missed the introduction and their wonderful Steampunk creations.

Now we get down to business... it's time for a new challenge today here at Anything But a Card Challenges... let's get ready to play and have some fun! Thanks to all who creatively celebrated our STEAMPUNKtember challenge and our shared love of the Steampunk Genre with Challenge #39. If you missed out on seeing the amazing creations... please CLICK HERE to check them out.

**Just a reminder as there seems to be a bit of confusion this go round... THIS CHALLENGE IS NOT AN OPEN THEME. Please read below for instructions and prompt for the theme "Autumn Magic/Spring Wonder" for Anything But a Card Challenges No. 40.**

The new Challenge... is one that is in celebrating the change of seasons. For Anything But a Card Challenges No. 40 use the prompt "Autumn Magic / Spring Wonder" to inspire your muse. Since we have two hemispheres that are on opposite seasons, we thought that we would include both seasons in this challenge. So those of us coming out of winter can create and celebrate spring and those of us starting to feel the heat of summer fade away can create for the autumn season... or if you are inclined – combine the two as some of our designers have done.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Please share any current project you have created and JUST REMEMBER... create anything EXCEPT a card for this challenge. Please mention and LINK BACK to this challenge { http://anythingbutacard.blogspot.com/2014/10/celebrating-seasons-of-change-for-week.html }. ALSO - Please new projects only {no-backlinking}. :)

**A REMINDER** This Challenge will go through midnight October 25th giving you 3 weeks to play along and ENJOY the creative process! We will share more of our Design Team's creations each Sunday to keep you inspired.

Let's see what part of our DT has created!!

Please click on the designers' name to visit their blog. We hope you’ll take a minute to go see their work up close... and as long as you’re there – please leave them a little love!

Lisette

This has been on my to do list forever so I'm thrilled to have finally done it. Pick your potion for a bit of Autumn Magic all of your own! Check out my BLOG for more details.

Sheri

Not the traditional Halloween colors, but gotta use what I have on hand. I just moved across country from Chicago to Las Vegas but I knew I would be doing something Halloween. :) Please visit my BLOG for more details!

Julie

My mixed media piece "Luscious Lady" has many of my favorite things – flowers, strawberries and bugs. I've also been exploring new ink pads too! Persephone is much to pale to be in Australia. See if she looks better at my BLOG.

Diana

I wanted to share this fun little fall banner with you all. A quick and easy banner makes the house festive! I used a pennant die, and a bunch of my scraps of paper! As we don't really get much of a change of season here in Phoenix, fall is mostly a foreign concept, but sometimes if we drive north we can see some change of leaves and enjoy the cooler weather! Check out my BLOG for more info. 

Ruth

How lucky we are that we have 4 seasons, each one of them has its own beauty, magic or wonder. One learns to appreciate them if needs to live for example in a tropical environment where it's impossible to enjoy a white winter. But let's talk about autumn and spring now, please give a warm welcome to my whimsical time traveler! 

His head meant to be the sun, one side with a wooden arm and warm yellow/red/orange leaves, living the hot summer and the other side is full of flowers in the color of the spring showers living the cold winter behind. As the Byrds' song says: "to everything, there is a season... a time to be born, a time to die, a time to plant, a time to reap..." To check out more details come and visit my BLOG.

Heather

My fairy has no wings; the leaves I planned on using crumbled :(

 "The base for my fall display was originally a centerpiece at a wedding reception that my daughter recently brought home, thinking I could do something with it. That I did for this months challenge. Use velcro to adhere elements to the band and you can switch it out with others for different seasons! Check out my BLOG post to see the "before" photo as well how I made it. "

***********************

We hope our designers have you INSPIRED to take some time to be creative!! We can't wait to see your creations and we hope that you will join in and share them with us! Stop back next Sunday to see more of our Design Team creations!

An InLinkz Link-up