How to Organize All Those Card Making Challenges

Holy schmoly! This girl is crafted out today. I spent all day long on one project, but I'm so excited to share it with you that I just couldn't wait (even though I've already posted once today)!!

I've been following a lot of card making challenge blogs. It's been so much fun to participate and even if I don't win, there is so much inspiration that it keeps me in my crafting room and constantly creating.

But the problem is, there are quite a few challenges out there that I follow, and that means when I want to go looking for inspiration on my feed I have to click, scroll down, scroll back up, click on the next blog, scroll down. Repeat until I find something that just clicks. It's also bad because sometimes I forget about challenges and remember just in time to realize they are already closed. Bummer!

 AAaaaand when I want to combine challenges, like a sketch, word, and a color challenge, then I have to have multiple tabs open and refer back to my computer during the process. 

 I really like to watch PBS specials (yes, I'm a nerd) while I craft...sooooo...kind of need my computer. I got this genius  CRAZY (I've now come to admit this) idea to create an inspiration board that helps me keep track of all the challenges.

Firstly, I went looking for some colors from one of the challenge blogs I follow and after much back and forth debating (this is going to be displayed permanently in my craft room, after all) I settled on Curtain Call's Boho Brights challenge. Who doesn't get inspired by bright and cheerful colors?

It all started with this old window that somebody was selling on a garage sale facebook site:

I gave it a thorough scrubbing and, with the help of some handsome muscle, mounted it on my craft room wall.

Next, I used some of my favorite products - Distress Inks and Stencils!

The bright DI colors are Mustard Seed, Broken China, Dusty Concord, Shabby Shutters, Spiced Marmalade, and Festive Berries

I made some day of the week blocks with tiny wooden squares and white puffy paint, to help remind me when a challenge is ending.

Next, I took some gold cord, and ran seven strips down the window and attached Tim Holtz clips. These will help hold the inspiration images. 

I made a title for my project using chipboard letters and dabbing them with DIs.

After some thought I decided to go with "Inspiration Station".

One trusty glue gun, a couple of second degree burns, and a few hours later....

I have a finished project board!! Woohooo!! It's much grander in real life.

It's so bright and beautiful! I added some flowers and bling to the window, too!

Now as the challenges are announced, I can simply print out the images and put them in the row by the day the challenge ends. I follow more challenges than this, but a lot of them were announced today and I have to print them later.

Challenges that are bi-weekly or monthly are put on the day of the week they'll be due, but they're put closer to the top and the date is written on it.

I think I'm going to be inspired for a looong time to come!

Speaking of challenges, In addition to the Curtain Call challenge, I am going to make my third and final entry to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Blog "Anything Goes" challenge.

Hope you've all enjoyed my madness! Please follow my blog and leave a comment so that I can return the favor on your creations!