The Play Date Cafe

Thursday, October 7, 2010

The Play Date Cafe Challenge PDCC50

Lots of fun things to share in The Cafe

this week....so let's start with

this amazing color combo,

shall we?

This week's 'color story' comes by way of

Senior Designer, Julie Ranae.

''It's a 'twist' on traditional Christmas colors.

Melon & Green!

We thought maybe you might need a little

holiday inspiration

Play Date~Style!"

You are welcome to submit projects using

any theme, so have fun!

Big News!

The Play Date Cafe will be having an

Open Design Team Call

All the details will be coming your way

this Friday, October 8th

right here in The Cafe.

If you enjoy:

Playing with color & being an

inspiration to others, then we encourage you

to apply...check back on Friday for ALL the details.

We are super excited to share another brand new

sponsor all the way from the UK...

Elusive Images is a rubber stamp company with a wide range of designs and styles. Founded in the UK by Glenda Waterworth over 10 years ago, EI prides itself on both the design and manufacture of its rubber stamps, together with the Artylicious range of CDs. From original hand drawn images to final product every care is taken along the way to sustain the company’s reputation for good quality. Elusive Images are recognised for being innovative and, together with a creative design team, remain at the forefront of the UK’s stamping fraternity. Their products are available online from Graphicus and many other retail outlets.

We are also very honored to have the owner of

Elusive Images as this week's Guest Designer.

We welcome Glenda Waterworth.

"My name is Glenda Waterworth and I own Elusive Images. I have been in love with colour and creativity as long as I can remember and enjoy sharing this passion with others. I believe that we all have a creative being inside, we just need to explore our capabilities and encourage the ‘inner artist’. I have explored my own artistry during the last ten years by teaching stamping and crafting around the UK, appearing on British craft television and writing for several magazines. I think you would describe my explorations as messy – and I am certainly not on the neat list of crafters. But to me that is all part of the journey, by playing and experimenting we can truly discover and grow. So next time you want to put lime green paint with purple ink and orange embossing powder, listen to your ‘inner’ voice – you might be pleasantly surprised by the results!"

Now look what you could win....

and...

Wanna hear more great news?

Not only will our 'Cup of the Week' win this

amazing prize package valued at $100,

but 'The Fab 4' will also each receive

one of these stamp sets as well,

valued at $25 each!

More Opportunities to Win!

Glenda provided our design team with a

variety of amazing rubber images to help

inspire you to create & play.

Here's what the rest of our designers have done to inspire you.....

Lisa Somerville ~ Splendiferous Creations

Suzanne Czosek ~ Suzz's Stamping Spot

'Private Blend' Designer

Andrea Ewen ~ EwenStyle

Ruby McGuire ~ Ruby 2 Shoes Design

Savannah O'Gwynn ~ Savannahland2

Senior Designer

Sarah Anderson ~ The Art of Moodling

Please follow the rules carefully to enter.

Deadline for prizes is 11:59pm EST on Tuesday
The 'Cup of the Week' will be announced during the next challenge.

ALL SKILL LEVELS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PLAY!
We want you to enjoy this challenge.

Interpret the colors the way you see them.

We do not use specific card stock color names or brands.

Break out of the box and have fun!

The main requirement is:

PDCC COLORS BE THE

FOCUS OF YOUR SUBMISSION

When using additional colors, please limit them to neutrals.

You are welcome to combine challenges,
but we do ask that:
1. The PDCC name and/or photo is used
2. OUR colors are the focus of the card.

See complete rules on sidebar at left

The Fab 4

The Cream in our Coffee

and

THE CUP of the WEEK

Another great challenge has come to a close.

A very warm thank you to all who entered.

This challenge is only successful because of YOU

so please, PLEASE play with us again!

This Week's Fab 4...

(in alphabetical order)

Christy S ~ Altered Ambitions

Donna ~ Paper Crows and Dragonflies

Melissa H ~ My Paper Obsession
Susan B ~ Paper & Joy

The Fab can proudly display the

'I Made the Fab 4'

badge on their blogs!

The Cream in our Coffee...

( honorable mentions in random order )

Fliss

Margaret

Nicky Hsu

Lynn

Jo Hooper

Nigel

Carol Q

Sleepy Stp

Mervi

Kavitha

This group can proudly display the

'Cream in Our Coffee'

badge on their blogs!

and

The Cup of the Week...

Anne Marie ~ Stampin' Anne

Anne Marie wins the terrific on-line tutorial prize package from

and can proudly display the 'Cup of the Week' Badge.

Anne Marie will also be eligible to be a

guest designer here in The Cafe.

Anne Marie, please contact Julie Ranae at julieranae@hotmail.com

to receive your prize.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

The Play Date Cafe Challenge PDCC49

It's time for another challenge here in The Cafe.
But before we get to it, there's some

Big News!

The Play Date Cafe will be on the prowl
for additions to The World's Best Design Team!
Could it be you?
In the next couple weeks, we will be issuing an
official DT call, so if you are interested,
keep an eye out here!

This week, your color host is our very own
senior designer, Sarah Anderson

"When I saw this photograph I just fell in love
with the colour combo. It really keeps my attention.
I love turquoise and hot pink together,
but would never think to combine it with
the warm, rust brown yet this image really works"

Another new sponsor is
here in The Cafe!

The Technique Junkie Newsletter was started in 2002 as a

resource for Rubber Stamping Techniques.

The Newsletter is published every-other month, featuring 15 or more

stamping techniques in step-by-step format.

Each technique has a corresponding pictorial online, and a full page

of inspirational artwork by the

talented Technique Junkie Newsletter Designers.

To date, over 600 Techniques have been published,

by far the largest and most extensive library of

rubber stamping tutorials available.

This week's prize....

A three-year online-only subscription.
The winner will have online access to

the 2009-2011 issues,
a total of nearly 300 Technique Tutorials.

Value...$29.95

We are happy to welcome Pat Huntoon,

owner of Technique Junkies,

as this week's guest designer

"My name is Pat Huntoon, and I am a junkie....
... a junkie for stamping and scrapbooking!

How did this happen to me? I was THE "anti-craft" !!!
I was a driven career-woman who never did anything crafty.

Then I had my kids and all that changed.

I found that I wanted and needed a creative outlet.

Then I found scrapbooking.

Not long after, I was introduced to stamping, and now I am enveloped

in this long and beautiful love affair with these two wonderful crafts.

Eventually I started a little web-site, Patstamps to display my cards...
...Then I became addicted to techniques.

I started to crawl the web looking for new and fun ways

to use all of these tools that I was acquiring...

and the first Technique Junkie Newsletter was born.

So, I am Pat Huntoon. I am a junkie.

A wife, a mother (two sons!) website owner, publisher and CRAFTER."

Our design team were give a wonderful tutorial
to work with called 'Clipped Corners'.
Each designer put their own 'unique spin' on this
fabulous tutorial. We love when we can be
creative with the 'same' technique.

Here's what the rest of our designers have done to inspire you....

'Private Blend' Designer

Andrea Ewen ~ EwenStyle

Ruby McGuire ~ Ruby 2 Shoes Design

Lisa Somerville ~ Splendiferous Creations

Suzanne Czosek ~ Suzz's Stamping Spot

Savannah O'Gwynn ~ Savannahland2

Senior Designer

Julie Ranae ~ Julie's Open Window

Please follow the rules carefully to enter.

Deadline for prizes is 11:59pm EST on Tuesday
The 'Cup of the Week' will be announced during the next challenge.

ALL SKILL LEVELS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PLAY!
We want you to enjoy this challenge.

Interpret the colors the way you see them.

We do not use specific card stock color names or brands.

Break out of the box and have fun!

The main requirement is:

PDCC COLORS BE THE

FOCUS OF YOUR SUBMISSION

When using additional colors, please limit them to neutrals.

You are welcome to combine challenges,
but we do ask that:
1. The PDCC name and/or photo is used
2. OUR colors are the focus of the card.

See complete rules on sidebar at left

The Fab 4

The Cream in our Coffee

and

THE CUP of the WEEK

Another great challenge has come to a close.

A very warm thank you to all who entered.

This challenge is only successful because of YOU

so please, PLEASE play with us again!

This Week's Fab 4...

(in alphabetical order)

Anne Marie ~ Stampin Anne

Debbie C ~ Scrappin' My Heart Out

Sue Lelli ~ Card Therapy
Tracy ~ Scrappin' Trackside

The Fab can proudly display the

'I Made the Fab 4'

badge on their blogs!

The Cream in our Coffee...

( honorable mentions in random order )

Mona

Sema

Kim Howard

Jacqueline

Maria

Susan Allen

Alicia

Suzanne B

Nerina

Ros Crawford

This group can proudly display the

'Cream in Our Coffee'

badge on their blogs!

and

The Cup of the Week...

Jinny ~ Soaring

Jinny wins the $60 prize package from

and can proudly display the 'Cup of the Week' Badge.

Jinny will also be eligible to be a

guest designer here in The Cafe.

Jinny, please contact Julie Ranae at julieranae@hotmail.com

with your mailing address to receive your prize.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

The Play Date Cafe Challenge PDCC48

It is time for another challenge here in The Cafe.

Our design team was simply blown away by all of

the fabulous creations that were hanging in the

gallery during our last challenge. Amazing!!!

Senior Designer Julie Ranae is this week's host...

"Would I put my kitchen together using these colors?

Probably not, but I totally admire the people who do.

That's why I chose this photo for the week.

I hope it inspires you to get out of your

'comfort zone'

and go for something a little different.

Be bold...you decide!

For instance, am I going to use

deep purple or dark blue?

Silver or gray?

I am convinced more than ever that there are

no bad color combinations...you just have to

'think outside the proverbial box'!"

How about another new sponsor for this week's challenge?

They provided the 'world's best design team'

a choice of any of their stamps to play with. We love 'em!

Crafty Individuals comes to us all the way from the UK

and is an exciting venture into the creative world of arts and crafts for business partners Jean Hardy and Malcolm Noble,

who both come from an arts-based background.

Their online store features a range of own designed' Rubber Stamps,

along with unique Image Acetates. They are available for purchase

in their online store and in many retail outlets.

Crafty Individuals wants to really encourage you to play...

check out this prize package!

'Seaside'

and.....

'People & Places'

This prize package is worth over $60!!!

You have to play to have a chance to win!

Here's what the rest of our designers have done to inspire you.....

Savannah O'Gwynn ~ Savannahland2

'Private Blend' Designer

Andrea Ewen ~ EwenStyle

Lisa Somerville ~ Splendiferous Creations

Suzanne Czosek ~ Suzz's Stamping Spot

Senior Designer

Sarah Anderson ~ The Art of Moodling

Please follow the rules carefully to enter.

Deadline for prizes is 11:59pm EST on Tuesday
The 'Cup of the Week' will be announced during the next challenge.

ALL SKILL LEVELS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PLAY!
We want you to enjoy this challenge.

Interpret the colors the way you see them.

We do not use specific card stock color names or brands.

Break out of the box and have fun!

The main requirement is:

PDCC COLORS BE THE

FOCUS OF YOUR SUBMISSION

When using additional colors, please limit them to neutrals.

You are welcome to combine challenges,
but we do ask that:
1. The PDCC name and/or photo is used
2. OUR colors are the focus of the card.

See complete rules on sidebar at left

The Fab 4

The Cream in our Coffee

and

THE CUP of the WEEK

Another great challenge has come to a close.

A very warm thank you to all who entered.

This challenge is only successful because of YOU

so please, PLEASE play with us again!

This Week's Fab 4...

(in alphabetical order)

Christina ~ Sea Glass Sentiments

Jean Franks Beck ~ Bluebird Paperie

Julia ~ Scraphappy
Maria Gurnsey ~ Gingham and Polka Dots

The Fab can proudly display the

'I Made the Fab 4'

badge on their blogs!

The Cream in our Coffee...

( honorable mentions in random order )

Lin

Carly

Sarah A

Lee Anne

Erica

Susan B

Anne Marie

Darlene A

Jaclyn M

Michele G

This group can proudly display the

'Cream in Our Coffee'

badge on their blogs!

and

The Cup of the Week...

Debby ~ Limedoodle

Debby wins the $25 Gift Certificate from

and can proudly display the 'Cup of the Week' Badge.

Debby will also be eligible to be a

guest designer here in The Cafe.

Debby, please contact Julie Ranae at julieranae@hotmail.com

with your mailing address to receive your prize.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

The Play Date Cafe Challenge PDCC47

It's that time again!

The week just seems to fly by with each challenge, doesn't it?!

We thank you so much for spreading the word and sharing the

fun we have here in The Play Date Cafe.

We are so excited about a new schedule of wonderful sponsors

who will take us all the way through the holiday season.

If this is your first time in The Cafe, you picked a great time!

The prizes that are up for grabs are going to blow you away!

This week's terrific 'color story' was chosen by our host

senior designer, Sarah Anderson and here is a taste of

inspiration all the way from the UK....

We are super excited about introducing you to
our newest sponsor. It was a real treat to play with
their stamps this week in hopes of inspiring you to play.

Paperbag Studios offers a unique mix of rubber stamps

that appeals not only to the rubber stamper but visual

and altered artists alike.

The company was formed seven years ago when

mixed-media artist Roben-Marie Smith began designing

rubber stamps to reflect her distinct, altered-arts voice.

In addition to designing product, Roben-Marie shares her love

of mixed-media art, handmade journals and scrapbooking

through her personal blog 'Every Life Has a Story'.

Make sure you visit the Paperbag Studios blog to
see their fabulous stamps in action.

Want to know what's up for grabs for this week's 'Cup of the Week'?

A $25 Gift Certificate to Paperbag Studios!

Let's 'meet' Roben-Marie our Guest Designer for this week....

"I am a little kooky in my ways and clearly OCD in others. I eat oatmeal for breakfast every morning, am addicted to Burt's Bees Lip Balm, I don't like wearing shoes, am a loyal friend, would rather give than receive, am afraid of heights, am an introvert who works hard to be an extrovert and my favorite color is green.

I have been married for over 21 years, I dig football, can converse on many subjects, am a God's girl and a computer geek. My favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice, I am a college graduate, I like to read historical fiction, I used to work in public relations, I lift weights, embrace a variety of music genres, once rode a camel and I make amazing made-from-scratch brownies, or so I am told!

I am into a bunch of craft and art forms, including mixed media, art journaling, sewing, digi designing and more. I like to laugh but sometimes take things too seriously and one day would like to say that "making things for others" is my job!"