Tuesday, February 12, 2008

The Progressive Challenge!

Ok, let's talk about progressives, today. I'm very proud of this week's challenge over at Cocoa. So, I thought I'd share the details with you. First of all, I'll explain that COCOA is a scrapbook group...not just a drink! COCOA stands for "Challenge Obsession Complete Our Albums". I love challenges. They're so inspiring, especially when you're in that "rut". Anyway, COCOA's famous for their daily challenges, called "Instant Cocoa". We also have second cups which are the Instants completed after the day they're posted. Make sense?

Onward with the progressives. The progressive challenge is usually a four step process. A cocoa member posts the sign-ups on Thursday. There are usually two or three choices for a theme. You pick the theme you want then sign up. Each day a new step to the challenge is posted, starting on Fridays. We tend to start with a "base" of the layout and work from there. Depending on how generous the challenge poster is, depends on how much you add to your layout each day. Sometimes we run out of room, other times, it works out great. We may have an idea in our head for something, but it may not work, then we have to change it. That's the whole creative process. That's what keeps our brains going! Sometimes it's frustrating. Other times it's a lot of fun. But, watch out, because these challenges can be addicting! I love them, myself! Oh, and don't look ahead, at the steps...that's cheating!!!

With this week's challenge, posted by my friend, Sarah. The theme was "Scrappers Choice." Which means, basically, anything goes. Whatever pics you have laying around that you feel like scrapping. I chose some Girl Scout photos from our Overnight event last month. The girls did some sewing and had a fashion show. Coincidentally, these pics worked perfect with this challenge, since Sarah made me do some paper sewing! Like I said, sometimes, these challenges are fun!

Step A...the base! We were asked to choose three pp's (patterned paper) and a solid cardstock. The pp had to be no bigger than 4" x 10". I totally took that the wrong way, thinking they had to be that size. But, it all worked out, in the end anyway. Since I'm using Girl Scout photos, what better pp to use, than K & Co. Girl Scout paper! Then, to choose some photos and matte them. Sarah was nice enough to give us a hint, that we would have space to add another photo later on. Not all COCOA-nuts are that nice to us! lol So, here's my step A...

Step B was the hard part. I almost chickened out here. We were to make a, kind of, book on our layout. Take a piece of pp (patterened paper), preferrably double-sided and fold it in half. Inside is where you add your journaling and the optional additional photo. I'm glad this was hinted to us. I chose the group photo of the girls. The journaling was simple, "Girl Scout Overnight with Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, and Seniors. Fashion Show" The front I decorated with girlie "Studio G" stamps.

Part C was easy! Add your title, and use some form of ink. This could be any kind of ink..stamping, pen, computer, etc. So, I used chipboard letters to make the word "Fashion" and used my Sakura pen for my "ink" to write "Statement". Making the title "Fashion Statement". I, then, used my Eucalyptus Stickles (like a light green) and went over the chipboard letters to add a little "bling". You can't have a fashion page without any "bling"!

Finally, Step D. This was fun. More stitching and final touches. But, this time, the stitching didn't necessarily have to be needle and thread! Yay, that's my favorite kind. I added the K & Co. Girl Scout flowers (they have a touch of bling, already). Then I go that awesome Sakura pen and "stitched" the stem and the leaves. I also "stitched" a little border around the cover of the book thingie. The ink on the Sakura pen makes it look like real stitching. Totally cool! Oh, and to coordinate with the title. I had to use those Stickles again. I Stickled the inside of the leaves to add some more bling.

In conclusion, here's what we came up with. This was one of the "funnest" progressives I've done in a long time.



1 comment:

Sharie said...

This looks like alot of fun! Just found your blog at EBB Creations. Have a wonderful week!