Sketches4All Scrap-A-Thon Blog Hop!!!!!!!!

Are you guys ready to start Spring off with a bang?!?!?  Well, what better way to do that than with a Scrap-A-Thon Blog Hop!!!! Get out your tools and paper gang and let's get scrapping!!!!

Welcome to the Sketches4All Spring Blog Hop and Scrap-A-Thon!!! If you have come here from Becky's Blog, then you are in the right place!! If not, and you would like to start from the beginning, please stop by the Sketches4All Scrap-A-Thon Forum!!! 

We're sooooo happy to have you join us!!! Our Blog Hop starts today, Monday April 1st 2013 and runs until Sunday April 7th, 2013.  Winners will be announced on Wednesday, April 10th! You have 7 days to claim your prize... otherwise, you forfeit.  

Now, let's move on to the fun stuff!! There will be inspiration, challenges, and NUMEROUS Prizes along the way!!! Our "Grand" Winner will be crowned "Queen of the Hop" and awarded this FABULOUS PRIZE:

That's right everyone... You're eyes are NOT playing tricks on you!!!! That's a 24 pack of Spectrum Noir Markers in "Bright" hues (along with a zipper case that holds 36 markers), Ultra Smooth Premium White Cardstock for alcohol markers(20 sheets), and a Mulberry Wood "Gone Fishing" Stamp Set!!!! A total prize value of over $50.00!!!!! Holy smokes!!!!

But that's not all... We will also award a $25.00 gift certificate to second place and each of the Design Team members will have challenges and various prizes in the forum of Sketches4All!!!

Be sure to stop by each member's blog and leave them some love, and then head over to Sketches4All and join in on as many challenges as you can!!! You will be entered to win the prizes based on how many of the challenges you enter :-)

With the Hop, we are also introducing TWO new Design Team members: Brenda and Libby!!! We are also lucky enough to have Rachelle as our Guest Designer for the month of April who will be offering a challenge you will NOT want to miss out on!!!! Please make them feel welcome :-)

Now, for my challenge (he he he)... I would REALLy like to challenge your creative abilities!!! Actually, it's pretty simple... Just create anything you want... anything at all that reminds you of Spring... EXCEPT for a LAYOUT or a CARD!!!! This can be a tag, ATC, altered item, easter basket, etc, etc, etc!!!!  BE CREATIVE!!!! Think outside the box :-)

The first thing that came to my mind when I started this project, and thought of "Spring" in general, was the beautiful Cherry Blossom flower.  They start to bloom in various parts of Japan starting anywhere from January, all the way to mid April, and are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Of course, when I think of Cherry Blossom, I think of Japan.  When I think of Japan, I think of "Asian" themed art.  And well, that explains my project!!! Hahaha!!! Like I said... THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!!!!!

I decided on making a desktop calendar box for my husband, as he absolutely LOVES the "asian" culture.  Here are a few pics...

The inside of the box which is actually downtown Hong Kong.  

With the Calendar in place...

These are the front and backs of the calendar cards I made for the top.  I printed them out using Powerpoint on coordinating cardstock, then used mod-podge to adhere them to heavy cardboard for durability.  

 

And a quick shot of the back... I made the dragon on my Cricut Expression 2 using the "Pagoda" cartridge.  

I started by making the box with chipboard, then used mod-podge to adhere specialty paper with pics of Hong Kong, Kung Fu, and bamboo.  If you're interested in making your own, here is the tutorial...

Desktop Calendar Box Tutorial

Well, I certainly hope you've enjoyed my inspiration piece!!!! Now get out there and start scrapping!!!! 

Here is a list of the Design Team lineup:

Becky

Brandi

Brenda

Cheryl

Fia

Jessica

Libby

Lisa

Rachelle

Stacy

Thanks for stopping in my friends and have a LUCKY day :-)