Tips for Topping Craft Challenges!

 Every month a host of craft challenges are announced which form the inspiration for the month for us crafters. I really enjoy scouting all the blogs and checking out the submissions for each topic. I've seen some really awesome work but sometimes due to external factors, the submission doesn't fare as well as it potentially could. So I thought I would dedicate a post to giving a few tips on how to top craft challenges. These by no means will guarantee success, after all your work has to be best to win a challenge. But these will definitely help give your work its best appearance.

Photography is KEY

There was recently some discussion on this topic on one of the Facebook communities and I realized that a lot of us are thinking about it. Your work is being judged so it has to look its best.  Bloggers like Kavi Tha, Pooja of Lightbox Creatives and of course our reigning craft queen Mallika of Aola's Handmade Cards have got this nailed! Here's how to take great pictures of your work

1. You don't have to have a really fundoo camera to take great photos. I use my phone camera for most of my photos but I always make sure to do the following:
2. Always take photos in the daytime when you have the most natural light. We crafters are often times night owls crafting through the wee hours of the morning but wait till full on morning before you take a picture and submit your work.
3. A white background best compliments any creation. 
4. Ideally use a photo light box for photographing your work. It is really easy to make. Here is a link which gives step by step instructions. 

Here is an example of a card photographed with and without a light box. Which do you think looks better?

Without Light Box - Busy Background

With Light Box - Plain white background

Edit your Photos where Necessary

We are living in the age of digital cameras so take advantage and edit your photos where necessary. I have a Mac and use the Iphoto's application for my photo enhancements. Picasa is also a great tool. It isn't cheating because your work is still your work, it's just being made to look its best. Here is a photo of a card I made before and after editing. I have just cropped the photo, removed the shadows, improved the exposure and softened the edges.  Doesn't it look so much better after the touch ups?

Before Editing

After Editing

Avoid Hand Written Sentiments

The very best card can be ruined with a hand written sentiment. I'm really sorry if this sounds harsh but it's true. Unless you have a calligraphic handwriting, stick to stamps, printouts, tags (Itsybitsy has a fabulous range) or recycled sentiments from other cards. Stencils are also not a bad idea. Here is an example of a card with a handwritten sentiment against a stamped one. See what I mean...

Many Good Submissions or One Great Submission?

This I leave for you to decide. Should you submit many good submissions and hope for the best or make one great submission and again hope for the best? I really don't know which works best but from my perspective - I just want to craft and craft challenges offer a great purpose to my work. So if I have the time, I think I'll be submitting the maximum for all challenges - Ha!

So those are my pearls of wisdom. I'm sure you guys have more suggestions and tips. Would love to hear them and looking forward to seeing more fabulous submissions of our Make it Dimensional Challenge where we will name 2 winners and 6 finalists all of whom will receive a badge for their blogs.