CCC#034: June 2014 Monthly Challenge - Pack Your Bags!

June is bustin' out all over! (Hubby and I recently saw Carousel at our favorite community theater last weekend, and I have had that song, and the clambake song stuck in my head since then!) But seriously, it sure doesn't feel like June around here... it's been so cold! I'm talking temps in the low 50s every day! It's a struggle for me not to turn the heat on in the evening. But we've had some sunny days, and the lawn's needed mowing once, so we know summer will be here eventually.

This month's challenge from Catherine and Cathy Create is "Pack Your Bags" - any project inspired by travel! I'll admit, I struggled with this one a little. I got stuck on 'but I don't have any planes, trains, or automobiles stamps!' for a while. But that's what these challenges are all about... getting us to flex our creative muscles and think outside the box! So here's what I came up with...

I was inspired by a few things for this project. My little brother is moving to Wisconsin next month - OK, so it's not exactly a voyage, but it definitely put the banner idea into my head. :) I thought the nautical color scheme spoke to the old-fashioned cross-Atlantic ocean liner idea. Plus, I really wanted to use this amazing new DSP from the new catalog that has adorable nautical motifs... I adore it and totally want to wallpaper my entire house with it! Take a closer look!

Look at the anchors and knots! LOVE! The collection is called Maritime. It's got some cutesy images like happy octopi, but then there are a lot of really sophisticated preppy patterns, like the stripes, anchors, and knots that I used in this project.

I used the stencils from the Build a Banner Kit on banners that I cut from Coastal Cabana, Real Red, and Night of Navy cardstock. Remember the Build a Banner Kit from the Holiday Catalog? It'll be back in the new catalog - TOMORROW! :) - plus a couple other awesome banner kits! I used the stencils to sponge on tone-on-tone polka dots and white emboss the letters. It all came together super easily and quickly! With the stencils, you can make it say anything you need. Plus, pick any color combination and DSP that works with your occasion. Cheap and cheerful, just the way I like it! :)

Now go check out Catherine and Cathy Create to see what the rest of the Design Team made. You're gonna love it! Plus, link up your travel-inspired project, and you might win a prize!

Happy Travels... er, um, I mean Stampin'! :)