Saturday, March 8, 2014

Graphic 45 Design Team 2014 Audition

I can't believe I'm actually auditioning for the Graphic 45 Design Team 2014! Li'l old me from the upside down Land Down Under! I can only try I guess. Would be an amazing experience don't you think!

So...I have to provide at least 6 different projects which I have made. Hmmmm...which ones??? I guess because my design strength leans more toward building and construction of storage items, I have decided to include a couple of these items for which I used other paper lines.

The first project is one of which I am very proud - the Distress Ink Storage Unit. This one used a LOT of chipboard and glue (most of my projects do LOL) and very little paper! I designed it myself and the making of this was recorded live on Ustream. Click HERE to view the recording. I added a Lazy Susan spinner for the base and created a label sheet to print onto copy paper which prints the label on all four sides of the ink pads.

Distress Ink Storage Unit

"spinner" attached

Labels


My next project is Valentine's Day themed. I say themed because I'm not a huge fan of Valentine's Day and all the red, so the perfect paper to use on this project was Graphic 45's Le Romantique! My daughter, Mandy wanted me to make her a box to hold sentiment cards as a gift to her husband, Tod for Valentine's Day. The cards were titled "I love the fact that..." and Mandy filled in each card with things she likes about Tod. I designed this box also. It is just a box, but I made a mistake or two so I "hid" the "mistakes" with some strips of chipboard around the edge of the top, and it looked so good I added to the bottom also/ I thought this inclusion actually made the project "pop", as well as being practical as the bottom pieces stopped the lid from slipping all the way down to the bottom of the box which would have made it difficult to open.


The caption on the paper here was made for this project!




I have not been bitten by the Project Life bug - yet - however Mandy (yes, Mandy again) needed a storage box to hold all her PL cards, so I set sail again and designed a storage unit for Project Life cards. I have since made another Project Life Storage Unit (PLSU) - again for Mandy as she wanted to fill a 23"x8" space on her desk. I must digress here as I thought this was kind of a funny story as to why I built a bigger PLSU.

So....Mandy's husband Tod was so impressed by the first PLSU I made for Mandy that he asked if I could make him one to use as a "remote boat" (storage for his many remotes - TV, X-box, stereo, etc). So I built him one - no big deal. THEN Mandy cleans her craft work area and decides Tod's "remote boat" and her original PLSU fit "almost" perfectly in this 23"x8" space on her desk. Well, I was told that I could either make Tod another Remote Boat OR I could make one BIG PLSU for Mandy so Tod could have his original "Remote Boat" back. Yes, you guessed it, I made the mambo jambo PLSU for Mandy LOL.

Original PLSU (I use it for a desk organiser)

Version 3 (Mandy's) Empty

Version 3 Filled with Project Life Cards
And the next project is my latest "spinning" storage unit. This one was made for my grandson, Justin. I had just finished a spinning desk organiser for his sister, Amelia, but Justin had to have one also LOL. I didn't have any paper that would suit a boy in my stash (yeah, go figure!) but what I did find suited Justin perfectly! Justin LOVES the circus, so guess what paper line I used - that's right, Graphic 45's Le Cirque!!! I love how this one turned out, and so did Justin! All sides contain at least one drawer, the fourth side I built a vertical paper rack. To complete this spinning organiser I decided to add a circus tent on the top level. Justin LOVED the circus tent!!! Nan did good! LOL

Justin's "spinning" desk organiser
The side with the letter rack




 

 
The circus tent
I thought I should add a card to this submission as I do love making cards. The one I chose to include was a "New Baby" card using Graphic 45's Little Darlings paper. What I set out to do with this card was to use up some of the bits and pieces left over from another project (mini album). I also used a chipboard die-cut piece from the Little Darlings Tags 2 die-cut collection, as well as the "Love" stamp from the Little Darlings stamp set. This is what I came up with.



I think I'll have to add just one more project to the list here. For some unknown reason I decided to make a log cabin. Sooooo....after countless strips of 5/8" chipboard pieces, a LOT of adhesive, a LOT of paint, and a LOT of water to get the curve of a true log shape, I came up with this:

This side shows the chimney

The front shows the flower boxes on the windows and the verandah


Close-up of the front door - hinges were made from paper!

The side door is the spine of the enclosed mini album


Oh my! Choosing which projects to include here in the Graphic 45 Design Team 2014 Audition was much harder than I thought! Hopefully the selection shows my style and how I make use of the papers. Thanks for the opportunity to submit my audition and for all the support from my crafty friends, without whom I would never have considered I was good enough to at least try for it!

Smiles
Jen

77 comments:

  1. oh I have my fingers and toes cross for you! Good luck!

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  2. Amazing projects Jen!! They would be crazy not to take you! Fingers crossed and all those good vibes coming your way xoxo

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    1. Dana, thank you so so much! You are just too sweet! Love your good vibes, so infectious!

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  3. Oh Jen I was wondering what sheri was wishing you good luck for... Fingers are crossed for you...would cross my toes too but they are a bit swollen LOL

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    1. LOL Jean, fingers are just fine thanks hehehe :)

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  4. Go Jen - I'm so excited for you. All of your projects are unique and you are gifted to be able to produce them all. Go for it.
    Sandy (chick)

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    1. LOL thanks SandyChick! Guess I'm going for it hehehe
      Smiles
      Jen

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  5. Jen AND Graphic 45, If there ever was a paper artist that qualifies to be involved on a Graphic 45 design team, it is YOU. You meet every piece of criteria they could ask for. You are a genius with design and color and products and teaching and... and... the list goes on. If I owned a paper company, or if I ever do, you will be the first on my list for the design team. Actually you should be the design Leader, president, queen, empress, Chief Artist in charge of design. And besides all that, you are a genuinely nice, kind wonderful lady.
    Annette

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    1. aaaaw Annette, even if I didn't get through the first round I still win after all your support! THANK YOU <3
      Smiles
      Jen

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  6. Amazing projects Jen, they definitely show your undeniable skills as a wonderful papercrafter/constructor. Am keeping everything crossed for you my friend, you would be a fantastic addition to the G45 team!

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  7. Good Luck, G45 is awesome, and they could not do better than have you as a design team member!

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  8. Hi Jen...

    Wishing you all the very best with the G45 design team call, your projects are unique and fabulous and i'll be keeping everything crossed for you, you would be a valuable addition to the team, your bubbly personality, great sense of humour and of course your wonderful papercrafting skills to showcase their products...

    Lots of love Jen.. i'm rootin' for you

    Sarah xx

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    1. Thank you so so much, wee Sarah! You teach me so much with your card-making that I am slowly gaining confidence with making cards. Thanks again
      Smiles
      Jen

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  9. Jen your work here is just amazing. What i like best is your share your talent on u stream. you are a good teacher clearly demonstrating how to put these lovely projects together. Graphic 45 would be so lucky to have you on their team

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  10. Yay Jen, you would make a great Graphic 45 DT member!

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  11. Best of Luck Jen! You rock my world with your talent, you would be a great addition to G45 design team.

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    1. Thanks so much Martha :) We all learn so much from each other! That's what I love about our online crafting community :)

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  12. Kudos to you for pursuing your dream. We wil all be cheering for your selection to the team. Yea!

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    1. Thanks Janet, I guess I will soon know if I'm good enough LOL

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  13. Thrilled to hear about the DT call! I'm a huge fan of your functional structures and I think this would be a very good match. Big thumbs up to you.
    Jane Morrison

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    1. Thanks Jane! I do mostly functional structures because I don't like to dust so heavily embellished show pieces are not really my style. Let's hope they are looking for something different like that :)

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  14. Good luck Jen!!!! You make awesome stuff and would make a great addition to the Graphic 45 Design Team!

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  15. Jen you are simply amazing. They would be so lucky to have you.

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  16. Congrats Jen on making this decision. You are an amazing, original, talented designer and artist. How you come up with these ideas and see them to fruition is truly mind boggling. I love to watch your ustreams and never miss a YouTube vid of yours. You give thorough explanations and I especially enjoy listening to your Aussie accent. You have proven leadership skills which you used for not one but two amazing 24 hour around the world continual streams. I know, you didn't do it alone but who else could have wrangled the countless artists needed to fill those spots. You did it all flawlessly and with grace. Good luck and congrats again.
    Robin

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    1. Aaaw Robin, that was just just way generous of you! I couldn't have made this decision without all of my crafty online friends' support. You guys rock!

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  17. Jenny, Good on you!!! You have always been my hero on so many different levels...your personality, professionalism, skills, imagination, commitment, ...and I ain't just "blowing smoke"....you deserve to be on G45's design team. Wishing you blessings in all your endeavors, especially this one.

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    1. Aaaaw Dar, bless your cotton socks LOL, If I don't make the DT then all I will have to do, after I come out of hibernation, is to come back and read all of the messages of support from you guys! THANK YOU :)

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  18. These are amazing projects Jen. I'd love to see you on the G45 design team, and I think you have a lot to offer them. You have a unique style and create items that are quite different to what most people make. I wish you the best of luck with it <3

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    1. Aaaw thanks Rach :) my projects can definitely be called unique LOL

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  19. Jen your projects are amazing...and you are too! You have such a knack for making (actually... building lol) these awesome creations. I also love your cards and really enjoy watching you make them on YT. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you! G45 wouldn't know what hit them (in a good way LOL) & would never let you go! Good luck! <3

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    1. Oh VickSTAR, you literally made me LOL! THANK YOU :)

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  20. Good luck Jen! You really are very innovative and I think G45 would be lucky to have you!

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  21. Jenny,
    You would be a fabulous addition to the Graphic 45 Design Team!!!! I am so glad you decided to submit. All the projets are wonderful, and original.... I think G45 would be lucky to get you on their team!!!!
    Hugs,
    Laurel

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  22. Good Luck Jen! You are more than an artist you are an inspiration to all. You would be such a good plus to Graphic 45 I have all my fingers and toes crossed that they can see what you can bring to their company!!!
    Hugs
    Charley

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  23. your work is always amazing. They are gonna flip when they see it all

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  24. Jen, You are one of the first I got to know in this wonderful community. And by far I have learned so much from you and you would be a great designer. I not sure what all you will need to do, but you make everything very easy to follow. Good Luck.

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    1. aaaw thank you so much, Marie! So lucky to have you all in my crafty life :)

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  25. Jen this took a lot of courage, and I am so so proud of you!!! G45 would be lucky to have you on their DT. I love watching your streams and reading your blogs....I know you make a great teacher, showing up how to do these things even if we hate to measure sometimes. You are meticulous and you make sure that everything is done right. Your talent shines so brightly in these projects...and I know you have so many others that are just as good so picking these had to be so so hard. I am so glad you chose the log cabin, it is one of my favorite things that you made. Sending good vibes and have my fingers and toes crossed. HUGS!!! I am proud of you....Good Luck.

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    1. Oh Tanya it was a hard decision to make, and yes 'brave' LOL. Yeah, the log cabin HAD to be included hehehe Thanks so much Tanya :)

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  26. Jen your stuff is always amazing!!! I think your projects are the perfect submission. .. I am hoping for you with everything!!! :)

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  27. Jen your stuff is always amazing!!! I think your projects are the perfect submission. .. I am hoping for you with everything!!! :)

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  28. Jen, I'm always amazed at the project ideas you come up with. All of your projects are very creative and original. Wish you the best of luck. Graphic 45 needs you on their design team.

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    1. I am also amazed at my project ideas, Carol - amazed that they even get finished, given the amount of stress I put on myself LOL Thanks so much :)

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  29. Hi Jen, These are fabulous projects. I've got your PLSU tutorial and am about to commence making one, using your tutorial as a guide. I only have 12" chipboard so will have to modify it for that. You are a wealth of inspiration.Thanks. Good luck with the G45 DT call. Cheers

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    1. Hi Fiona :) Please let me know how you go with your version of the PLSU!!!! Can't wait to see what you do with it :) Thanks so much for your awesome support!

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  30. Hi Jen :) your work is beautiful.. I have to say though, my absolute favourite would have to be the log cabin... is that cute or what :) I wish you good luck with your application.. And thank you for saying such lovely things about my work... you made my day... we can bite our nails together for the next few weeks :) xx go aussies

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    1. HI Karen :)
      Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! It wasn't hard to leave those comments on your projects, Karen - they are amazing! You do such lovely work!
      LOL, the log cabin has a funny story behind it, I might blog about it one day LOL. And yes, go Aussies, go!!!

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  31. amazing projects, the boxes are amazing!!! Best of luck!!

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  32. You are the queen of chipboard built projects! Combined with the awesomeness of graphic 45, I don't think it could get any better! I hope to al see you on the DT!!

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    1. That is such a sweet comment, THANK YOU so much, Kerry
      Smiles
      Jen

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  33. WOW! I'm from Kathy's Friday chats, I'm hit and miss there but I'm a newbie to all of this and loving all the cut and paste. You two are AMAZING to me, it's like a new world has been opened. I LOVE your ink stand and that log cabin is amazing! Your heart shows through in your projects, WELL DONE! I hope they choose you!

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  34. Thanks so much Wendy :) It still amazes me that we all can sit and chat and learn and craft away with each other while being thousands of miles away from each other!
    Smiles
    Jen

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  35. Jenny, your organizers are amazing. You must have the most beautiful and clean home. Thank you for sharing your projects with Graphic 45 for our DT Call. Happy Papercrafting! -Charee

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    1. Thank you so much, Charee! My home is not the cleanest (only because I spend so much time in my craft room creating pieces to store my excessive amount of craft products), however as it is only me living here most of the time it does stay fairly clean. I must also stress that I destashed most of my knick-knacks a few years ago to lessen the time it takes to clean LOL. Thanks again for the opportunity to try out for the Graphic 45 Design Team :)
      Smiles
      Jen

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  36. Thanks for your comment on my blog Jen! And very best of luck to you for the g45 team. I have always rated the Aussie girls for their talent, you are a clever bunch! your projects are gorgeous - oh, and very practical too! Lol!

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    1. Thanks so much Maggie :)
      The waiting is excruciating isn't it!
      Good luck to all!
      Smiles
      Jen

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  37. Hope I see you on the short list tomorrow Jen as your work is truly amazing.

    Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x

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    1. Thanks so much, Shirl! Hope you make it too! Good luck to all!
      Smiles
      Jen

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  38. Your projects are fantastic. And so practical. Good luck to you.

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    1. Thank you so much, Caroline. Good luck to all!
      Smiles
      Jen

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  39. I've got my fingers crossed for you Jen, good luck on the DT call, won't be much longer now. Wonderful projects you've shown!

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  40. Wow, your projects are amazing! Good luck!!

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  41. Thank you so much for your visit and kind comment on my blog Jen! Your work is amazing; love the log cabin! Best of luck to you (not that you need luck!).

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  42. Jen, Wow!! Your organisers and beyond the page projects are amazing! Wishing you the best with your audition and thanks so much for stopping by my blog xx

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