For November, we're turning our attention to the number 11! This month, we're inviting you to explore the idea of 11 Ingredients…or More by creating a project using at least eleven different materials, including adhesives. You can certainly use more than eleven, so don't feel that you have to stop once you've reached your target! Whether you enjoy making cards, creating journal pages, working with mixed media, or experimenting with other crafty pursuits, this is a wonderful opportunity to see what happens when you bring a variety of materials together.
As you will have seen from previous posts this year, designers often look to symbolism to add another layer of meaning to their work, and eleven has some interesting associations. In modern numerology, eleven is often described as a special or 'master' number, associated with intuition, inspiration, insight, and spiritual awareness. It is sometimes seen as a number that encourages us to look beyond the ordinary and recognize possibilities we might otherwise overlook. Although these interpretations aren't universal, they offer some lovely ideas for creative people to explore. After all, who hasn't started a project with one idea in mind, only to discover that a little experimentation leads somewhere entirely unexpected?
Eleven also has some fascinating connections in Hindu traditions. In Hindu sacred literature, the Rudras are a group of eleven divine beings associated with Rudra, a deity closely connected with Shiva. The names and descriptions of the eleven Rudras vary among different Hindu texts, illustrating how the number appears within a rich and diverse spiritual tradition. For our creative purposes, this connection offers an interesting reminder that a single number can represent a collection of distinct elements, each contributing to a larger whole.
In Christianity, the number eleven appears in the Bible in connection with the disciples of Jesus. Following the betrayal and death of Judas Iscariot, eleven disciples remained, as described in Matthew 28:16 and other New Testament passages. Matthias was later chosen to take Judas's place, restoring the group to twelve (Acts 1:26). While eleven is not consistently presented as a positive symbolic number in Christian teaching, this biblical account gives us a meaningful way to reflect on perseverance, renewal, and moving forward after a difficult change.
Of course, numbers can carry very different meanings depending on the culture, tradition, or context in which they appear. There isn't one universal interpretation of eleven, and that's part of what makes exploring number symbolism so interesting! For us, the number eleven provides a wonderful opportunity to think about creativity, possibility, and what can happen when we reach a little beyond our usual boundaries. Sometimes the most interesting results come from combining things we wouldn't ordinarily think to put together.
So, how can we turn eleven into something creative? Well, this month's optional twist is all about the materials you use! For cardmakers, that could mean combining cardstock, patterned paper, stamped images, ink, colouring mediums, ribbon, twine, gems, sequins, die cuts, and adhesive. You might create a festive Christmas scene with layered papers, a stamped sentiment, glitter, texture paste, and a sprinkling of embellishments. Or perhaps you could make a mixed-media background using paint, stencils, tissue paper, modelling paste, stamps, and collage elements before adding your focal image.
If you're more inclined towards journaling or scrapbooking, why not experiment with different papers, washi tapes, tags, photographs, fabric scraps, ink sprays, stickers, and decorative elements? Those who enjoy mixed media might try layering gesso, acrylic paints, collage papers, texture mediums, stamps, stencils, and found objects to create a piece with plenty of depth and interest. You could even make a bookmark, festive gift tag, small canvas, altered object, or handmade decoration using an assortment of materials. There really are so many possibilities!
And don't forget that adhesives count as one of your materials! Just be sure you use at least eleven different materials in total. You don't need to use eleven different colours of the same ink or eleven sheets of paper to meet the requirement; the idea is to explore a variety of materials in your creation. If you're unsure whether something qualifies, use your best judgment and, if necessary, explain the materials you've used when sharing your project.
This isn't about making things complicated or rushing out to buy a whole lot of new supplies. Instead, it's about looking at what you already have, trying combinations you might not normally consider, and allowing yourself a little creative freedom. This is the perfect opportunity to go exploring through your scraps box or even your recycling bin. Sometimes an unexpected material or an extra layer can be just the thing that takes a project in a new direction. And who knows? You might even discover a new favourite technique along the way!
So, gather your supplies, count up those ingredients, and see what wonderful things you can create with eleven materials or more!
Remember,
the twist is completely optional and you don't need to follow it in
order to win. However, in order to be considered eligible for this
month's goodies, remember that general types of projects/posts will not
qualify for the honours and prize UNLESS they are also
- $6 worth of images from Scribbles Designs, for a person chosen in a random draw based on all qualifying entrants.
- A badge for the following honours: Top Pick, Most Inspirational, Random Winner, DT Delight.
References
Ayonrinde, O.A., Stefatos, A., Miller, S., Richer, A., Nadkarni, P., She, J., Alghofaily, A. and Mngoma, N. (2021) 'The salience and symbolism of numbers across cultural beliefs and practice', International Review of Psychiatry, 33(1–2), pp. 179–188. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2020.1769289 (Accessed: 24 October 2026). David. (2026). Biblical Meaning of Numbers 1–100 – A Christian Guide to Numbers in the Bible. Christ Church, Woodford.. Last Updated: 28 August 2026. Available at: https://christchurchwoodford.org/biblical-meaning-of-numbers-1-100/ (Accessed: 24 October 2026).
Chat GPT was used to help me polish some elements of writing, to come up with some examples of design and to also format my references.
Now check out what Katrina came up with to inspire you.
Clicking on Katrina's name will take you to her blog where
you can check out the details for her inspirational creation.
This is the place to link up something that you have created during the
month that you consider positive, inspirational, motivational or encouraging in some nature. Entries for this challenge will be accepted from November 2nd until 11:59 p.m. (ET) on December 6th, 2026.
SEVEN entries MAX. Please click on the 'Challenge Details'
tab located at the top of the blog to see all the rules. A summary of the most important rules can also be found in the right
sidebar under the heading 'General Rules'. If you would like to be a Guest Designer in a future challenge, please add the letters GDT after your name.
