Friday, November 29, 2013

Meet the Challenge Manager and our First Designer

Thank you to everyone who has left us some bloggy love and to all of our new followers! We are thrilled to have you!!! 


This challenge could not be possible without an amazing Challenge Manager, I am so fortunate to have my sweet friend, Tracey McNeely with me on this new venture. She will be publishing each challenge, all the winner posts and helping with the design team. She is also one of our Clean & Simple Artists!!!


Let's give a big welcome to 


Hi, I'm Tracey McNeely, and I am a Canadian girl that lives just out side of Toronto in Oshawa, Ontario. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 23 years and  have two fabulous kids Ben, 18, and Brooklyn, 16. I taught computer science and special education in high school for nearly 17 years when I had to leave my job because I was no longer able to manage my MS along with working. I have been making cards since my teens and scrapbooking now for about 12 years. I love to be in my studio playing with paper and stamps creating projects that are clean and simple. I am so excited about the concept of this new challenge blog and to be on this Design Team with some great friends. 

tracey_CSC164 by Tracey McNeely, via Flickr

I have asked Tracey to share one of her favourite CAS (clean & simple) cards.

Here is a definition of what is clean & simple...
  • One main image
  • Lots of open space (uncluttered)
  • Limited layers & embellishments
  • Quick & easy to recreate

Are you a Clean & Simple designer?

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Welcome to the Card Concept Challenge!

Hello there and welcome to The Card Concept, a brand new challenge blog, starting in January, 2014!!



My name is Lesley and I am the challenge creator. I am so excited to share my vision for this challenge with you...here is how I came to this new challenge idea.

I know as a card maker, I often struggle with my "style". I remember in the early days of crafting, that I often looked to established card makers for a style reference and I have dabbled with many different styles throughout my journey.

I bet you have done the same or that you are just starting out, and you too, may be looking for some style ideas or tips.

So this idea came into my head...a challenge that teaches and encourages us to try new styles or to practice the style we love. Or maybe to help us FIND our own style.

There are 12 designers. I will be introducing each of them to you on this blog, starting December 1st. Each of them have a specific style that they use. We will be highlighting 6 styles- clean & simple, clean & graphic, clean & layered, shabby chic, freestyle collage and classy & elegant.

I know there are probably many more styles out there but we are starting with these six...we shall see what happens!


We have a Frequently Asked Questions Page found HERE. 
If we have forgotten anything, please leave us a comment and we will add the answer there.

Our first challenge will begin on 
Wednesday, January 8th at 5am (PST) or 8am (EST).

Come and join the fun...and please leave us a comment today...

What is YOUR card making style?