Wood You? Challenge Winners!

I know I say this every time, friends, but all y'all are seriously wowing me with your contest entries. The projects for the Wood You? challenge were no different. I agonized and agonized over the winners for this one. If you haven't had a chance to see all the projects in the Flickr gallery for this contest, make sure you click here, and you'll see what I mean about tough decisions.

As I was narrowing it down, it became clear to me that I was focusing on projects that used wood grain as a key element in the design. It wasn't just any-old element of the design, it was an integral aspect that set the tone for the rest of the project.

Here's what I mean. In this project by julie_stamps, she's used the wood grain background to set the tone for the card. The pink and yellow woodgrain has a dreamy, feminine, woodsy quality. By adding the cute little owl, the butterfly with a trail, and the sweet flowers and whimsical squirrel, you can see that the wood grain paper itself was the inspiration for the rest of the design.

This photo frame by coutney k is not only super cute, but again, the design has been inspired by the wood grain itself. Notice how she's placed the wood grain on the frame. The flow of the horizontal lines draw your eye to the owl, while the flow of vertical wood grain lines draw your eyes to what will be the photo in the frame. The fact that the owl is clad in some sophisticated duds adds a little humor to the project, but we "buy" that he belongs here because even though he's wearing some nice threads, he's still in his woodsy element--the flowers and grassy knoll beneath him being a nice addition as well.

Take a look at this thoughtful card by doris86pl:

Not only do I LOVE the interesting silhouette she's used to create the tree, I also love how she's carefully chosen where to place the tree on the wood grain patterned paper. Notice that the grain is larger at the center of the tree, which draws your eye deep into the heart of the tree itself. I also love the masculine appeal of this card, don't you?

In this card by Leigh Ann Baird, she's applied a very literal translation of wood grain and created a planter out of it. The style of the additional elements in the card including the vine pattern beneath the planter, the flower, the butterfly, and even the font used in the sentiment and the way it is placed on the card all work together harmoniously--as though the entire idea of the card evolved from the design's beginnings--a planter made from wood grain paper.

The unmistakable focal point of this card by heidivanlaar is the happy pink and white wood grain patterned paper. You simply can't miss it because she's made it the main event. By handstitching around it and matting it with a scalloped edge, it's clear that she wants to call attention to this uniquely colored wood grain. But I also love how she's added other "happy elements" to the card in the complimentary colors she's chosen, the texture she's added in the embossed background paper and dotted kraft, and the simple sentiment. It's a card that just screams "happy," beginning with that stinkin' cute wood grain element.

And last but not least, I've got to tell you, I had an emotional reaction to this card by anew19 when I first saw it. For me, it's a combination of three important things: simplicity in design, a simple but powerful color scheme, and a purposeful connection between the design element of wood grain and the sentiment. Wood grain is so everyday. It is so simple. It is such a basic part of our lives. It is for that reason that I love the message that this card sends which is in perfect balance with its design.

As you can tell, I am deeply inspired by these projects. I'm sure these ladies would love to hear what inspires you about these projects as well! Thanks to everyone who contributed projects to the challenge, and congratulations to these six designers! Ladies, send me an email with your addresses to cedvalson@ckmedia.com with "Wood You? Challenge Winner" in the subject line and I'll send a moxie fab prize your way!

Stay tuned, friends! I'll be announcing the next Moxie Fab World Challenge tomorrow, and trust me, you're not going to want to wait for a rainy day on this one!

Loving wood grain even more than I did before,

~Cath