Karen Burniston April Challenge - Accordions With Friends!

Hi all! This month's challenge from Karen Burniston is a fun one. Each of the designers got to choose a blogger friend who would receive an accordion die and create a card for the challenge. I chose my friend Lisa Hoel. I've been following Lisa's work since we were a part of the Inspiration Emporium design team. She has made several amazing cards using Karen's dies, so I knew she would be the perfect friend to invite. She'll be posting her card tomorrow, so be sure and check her blog to see what she came up with!

Here is what I came up with for the challenge. I knew I wanted to do a tunnel card using the Rectangle Accordion die, but I wasn't sure what direction to go in. My friend Michelle suggested using the new Pop it Ups Barn die and doing a country scene - complete with a clothesline - and I was off and running! We've both fallen in love with Graphic 45's new Home Sweet Home collection, and it was perfect for creating this sweet, country-themed card. Thanks for the inspiration, Michelle!

I have to admit I am a bit addicted to this style of card! It is the perfect excuse to pull out the scissors and go crazy fussy cutting your your favorite Graphic 45 papers. And how cute is that barn in the back? It's part of Karen's latest release and you'll be seeing me use it a lot! It will be available at the end of April, along with her new characters. See this post for more info.

What I love about creating a tunnel card like this is that it folds flat for mailing, but expands into this three dimensional gorgeousness. And using Karen's Accordion dies make it so easy - no measuring or thinking involved.You can find a full tutorial for creating a tunnel card with Accordion dies in this post from last year. Even though I used the Oval Accordion, the process is exactly the same.

I love this image of the woman hanging out her wash, and adding the clothesline was as easy as punching a couple of holes and threading a piece of baker's twine through them. The cow in the background and the label on the barn are both from G45's Home Sweet Home stamp sets.

Like I always say, still photos will never show the dimension of a card like this, so here's a quick little Vine video that shows how the card expands.

All the supplies I used can be found at Simon Says Stamp via the links below. I'll be sure and update this post when the Barn Pop it Ups die becomes available.

Elizabeth Craft Designs ACCORDION RECTANGLE Pop It Ups Die 972 Graphic 45 Home Sweet Home 2 Cling Stamps Graphic 45 HOME SWEET HOME 1 Cling Stamps IC0332 Graphic 45 Home Sweet Home 8x8 Paper Pad Graphic 45 HOME SWEET HOME 12 x 12 Paper Pad 4501077 EK Success CUTTER BEE Scissors EKCB01 Simon Says Stamp CUSTOM COPIC FRIENDLY WHITE CARDSTOCK 12 Pack Memento TUXEDO BLACK INK PAD Full Size me-900 EK Success 1/8" CIRCLES 3-D Foam Dots Adhesive SPAF-PD or 55-01046 Sizzix MAGNETIC PLATFORM FOR WAFER-THIN DIES Accessory 656499 *Tim Holtz Sizzix VAGABOND MACHINE Die Cutting Embossing Alterations 656850

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Thanks so much for stopping by today! Remember to check Lisa's blog tomorrow for her take on the challenge. On Wednesday, Karen Burniston will have another incredible tutorial on the Elizabeth Craft Designs blog, as well as all the cards from the DT and friends as well. You won't want to miss that post!