Tuesday 31 December 2013

The Final Letters - The Craft Barn Alpha Challenge

I find it hard to believe that I've managed to keep  up with the Craft Barn Alpha Challenge to the very end. Little did I know when I started the challenge what the year had in store for me and that 2013 would become my annus horribilis. However taking part in this challenge a couple of hours every two weeks took my mind off life's events.

The final two letters in the challenge are X and I. There is not a lot to choose from for the letter X and I have my husband to thank for coming up with the word xenogamy - a word I'd never heard before and probably one that I'm unlikely to slip into every day conversation! The flowers on my atc were stamped onto tissue paper, coloured on the reverse before sticking to my Fresco painted grey board. The little bee that was a freebie with an order from Crafty Individuals was yet another unused stamp in my collection. :-)

  
ATC Recipe
Card/Paper
Craft Creations greyboard
Tissue paper
Colortech+
Safmat
Inks/Paints
PaperArtsy Fresco paints - Haystack, Guacamole, London Bus, Satin Glaze
Memento Tuxedo Black
Ranger Archival Jet Black
Wild Honey Distress Ink
Stamps
Flowers -Crafty Individuals CI-206
Bee - Crafty Individuals
Honeycomb/Chickenwire - Creative Expressions
Other
Yellow glitter
Definition text computer generated

For my very last atc of the year I chose the word "Inspire" and a made a little homage to The Craft Barn in recognition of the inspiration they have given me over the years not only with their blog but also the fabulous Extravaganza weekends.  I once again used a previously uninked stamp from my collection - the word inspire is part of  a Crafty Individuals stamp and I masked off the words I didn't need before stamping it.

    
ATC Recipe
Card/Paper
Corrugated packaging
Colortech+
Recycled envelopes (flowers)
Inks/Paints 
Paperartsy Fresco paints - Bora Bora, Ice Blue
Versamark
Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Personal Impressions Gold Sparkle EP
Inka Gold
Other
Craft Barn logo and dictionary definition computer generated
Provo Craft flower die
Flat backed pearl

Finally thank you to the Craft Barn for running this brilliant challenge and to everyone who has visited my blog and left comments, they are much appreciated. I'm excited to see what next year's challenge will be.

 

10 comments:

Sylvia said...

Two fabulous ATCs to finish the challenge.

Sylv xx

LindaS said...

Beautiful flowers and background. I really like your idea for inspire.

Craftyfield said...

2 lovely pages! Credit to your husband for finding an interesting X word. Unused rubber stamp... do I hear a New Year resolution? Yep me too!!!

Elaine said...

Great last two ATCs! Not only has this been a great challenge for inspiration but educational too. I now know what xenogeny means!! Happy New Year.

Marion said...

Xenogamy, who would have thought of that?! Congratulations on continuing the Challenge, in spite of the awful year you have had. I love these last two ATCs. They have certainly 'inspired' me!

gardenpinks said...

Well done that man for coming up with a word I'd not heard of before!! I know full well what cross pollination is but had never heard of xenogamy! Love your ATC and there is plenty of pollen on those flowers for the gorgeous little bees to collect.
A beautiful ATC to end the challenge with, I wish Craft Barn would make a stamp of their owl logo!
Congratulations Maggie on completing the challenge through your most difficult year and hope 2014 is a much quieter, less fraught one for you and your DH.
Hugs
Lynn xx

Anonymous said...

awww that last ATC is so sweet. Thank YOU for your support and for entering all the challenges.
See you on Sunday for the new one?
Happy New Year
Izzy

Glennis F said...

Well done Maggie, I see your "I" has been featured on the Craft Barn blog.

Maybe I will join in this year - who knows!

TwinkleToes2day said...

Visiting from The Craft Barn - yur ATC's are fabulous. The tribute to the craft barn crew is inspired for sure :o)

carolfromkiwiland said...

Two beautiful ATCs and congrats on being on the Wall of Fame. I have to say crafting for this challenge helped me deal with some of the events going on in my life and took me to a happy place too. See you at the new challenge.