Sketch Challenges

 This weekend we had nothing planned and I was able to spend almost 2 full days in my craft room getting inky.  It was productive and my mojo was flowing pretty well.  I completed 30 cards (some were multiples) but was proud that I got so much accomplished.

Of course, my favorites are always sketch and color challenges as it gives me a jumping point.  

You can definitely see the theme of what I was creating (floral):

For the Fusion Card Challenge, I used the colors in the photo with the sketch to base my card on.  I pulled out my Simon Says Stamp Even More Spring Flowers and Verve Stamps Poppy Birthday along with some glitter washi tape and Teresa Collins Now & Then patterned paper from my stash.  I colored the floral image with my aquapainter and inks and embossed the sentiment.

For my next creation, which was more of a challenge because it's the Freshly Made Sketches and it's SQUARE which I don't do often.  

Again, with the floral theme and pulling out some of my patterned papers along with one of my favorite images from Taylored Expressions, Sketchbook Florals and dies.  I colored my image with my copic markers and added the little tag sentiment on.

Hope you've enjoyed the creations and appreciate you stopping by and saying "hi".  

BC301: Happy Birthday Scooter

Today over at Blogger's Challenge our theme is Birthdays.  I never seem to have enough birthday cards, and especially not masculine birthday cards.  I really should work up my stash one of these days.

I love how this card came together.  I did a lot of paper piecing with the scooter and then colored the rest with my copics.  This paper from My Mind's Eye is the perfect paper for creating birthday cards.

Hope to see your creation over at Blogger's Challenge today.

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Card details:

Stamps: Scootin' By from Sweet Stamp Shop

Cardstock: Real Red, Basic Black from Stampin'Up, Gina K. Luxury White; Patterned Paper: Hootenanny Collection from My Mind's Eye

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, copics C1, C4, B23, B24, R29, YG00

Embellishments: Dimensionals from Stampin'Up!, KaiserCraft Silly Season Jewels

I whipped up a quick card to share as well (not birthday related) using a few challenges.  This card came together pretty fast and I love when I can do that!

I used the current color combination at The Play Date Cafe (black, white & splash of green) along with the Paper Player's Challenge (sketch).

The sentiment stamp is a limited edition stamp I received this week from Clear & Simple Stamps, perfect for Thank you cards.

Card details:

Stamps: Limited Edition stamp from Clear & Simple Stamps

Cardstock: Whisper White, Glamazon Green, Basic Black, SEI Black Orchid

Inks: Perfect Little Black Dress

Embellishments: Bo Bunny Zoology Jewels, Spellbinders Circle Dies

Back to You Wise Guy

Sharing a couple of animal cards today to give your Monday a good kick in the *ss.

He, he, had to use that line as my Monday's always need a good kick in the butt.  Love this donkey from There She Goes and this card is for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenge from Edna15 to use 5 words on your creation.

Card details:

Stamps: BaDonkey Donk from There She Goes Clear Stamps

Cardstock: Brown Leather Satchel from Clear & Simple Stamps; Patterned Paper: Paris & Co. Collection from My Mind's EyeInks: Memento Rich Cocoa, copics E40, E43, E44Embellishments: Dimensionals and Basic Pearls from Stampin' Up!, Die-Namics Open Scallop Edge from My Favorite Things

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For my second card I pulled out this cute set My Peeps from Paper Smooches.  I combined a sentiment from that set from one of the Taglines: Critters set from Clear & Simple Stamps, thought they worked so well together.

This card is for the Hope you can cling to challenge hosted by Giovanna to use 3 punches/dies and a sentiment.  I used 2 of the Fancy label dies from Sizzix for Stephanie Barnard along with a circle punch.

Card details:

Stamps: My Peeps from Paper Smooches, Taglines: Critters from Clear & Simple Stamps; Cardstock: Dish All the Dirt Brown, Kraft Like a Rockstar, A Blanc Check and Brown Leather Satchel from Clear & Simple Stamps

Inks: Dish All the Dirt Brown, Copics E31, E35, E40Embellishments: Fancy Labels Die from Sizzix for Stephanie Barnard, Circle Punch from Stampin'Up!, Kraft Like a Rockstar Brown Twill Ribbon from Clear & Simple Stamps, Crystal Effects and Dimensionals from Stampin' Up!

BC246: Color Challenge

Today over at Blogger's Challenge I'm excited to share a color challenge based off my kindle pouch.  I won this pouch from Ali Edwards website a few weeks before Christmas and I had been hinting to my hubby I needed a Kindle and was thrilled that he got me one this year.  I've been reading like crazy on it (so last night I had to sit down and stamp instead of reading).

Here is a picture of the Kindle pouch which is from Elisalou Designs:

My colors may seem off but I assure you there is aqua on the pouch which I see is not on the picture up above.  I had the pouch in hand when I was doing this card and really brought out the aqua.  LOL.  See up in the left hand corner you can see a smidgen of the aqua on the pouch???

I used this Adore Peony Collage from Memory Box as my main image as I though the colors would be perfect based on the pouch.  I used the Deconstructed Sketch #33 for this in which I rotated it counter clock wise to make it work for my image.  The seam binding was colored with my copic marker to fit the color I needed.

I'm way behind on my Blogger's Challenge commenting so hope to get to those today or tomorrow...need to get back into the routine now that school has gone back and I'm back to work as well.

Hope you will join us over at Blogger's Challenge using the photo above for your color inspiration.  You can link in to the blog hop at my blog below, at Lisa's blog or anyone participating in the hop.

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Card details:

Stamps: Adore Peony Collage from Memory Box

Cardstock: Cool Carribean, Basic Black, Neenah White, My Mind's Eye Love Me Do

Inks: copics, Perfect Little Black Dress

Embellishments: Seam binding, open scallop edge die from My Favorite Thing's, Prima flower

Got Candy?

Are you on candy/sugar overload from the forthcoming Christmas holiday yet?  I know with what I've been baking/making/buying, I'm "testing" everything so I'm sure to gain a few pounds.

The candy2share set from The {Stamps} of Life is perfect to accompany some holiday candy, but I can really see this set coming in handy for Valentine's gifts!

My card above, I loved the color combination of the oranges & pinks, reminds me of some yummy sorbets.  I created my own background paper with the quick2border set.

I love these Sizzix framelits as I never tend to make shaped cards, but decided with these, it would be perfect and such a different shaped card.

For my final card I love the pink/black/white combo, it never gets old.  

Thanks for stopping by today!

Card details:

Card # 1 Got Candy?

Stamps: candy2share and quick2border from The{Stamps}of Life

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Creamsicle Cardigan, Mauved by the Paparrazzi, Neenah Paper

Inks: Color Box by Stephanie Barnard-Licorice, copic markers

Embellishments: Fancy Labels Framelits from Sizzix, dimensionals

Card #2 You're so Sweet

Stamps: candy2share from The{Stamps}of Life

Cardstock: Confetti Cream, Green with Envy

Inks: Color Box by Stephanie Barnard-Licorice, Strawberry, Spearmint and Banana, copic markers

Embellishments: mini rhinestones, dimensionals, Rounded Tags Framelits from Sizzix

Card #3 Candy Makes Everything Better!

Stamps: candy2share and animals4print from The{Stamps}of Life

Cardstock: Neenah White, Paint the Town Pink, Perfect Little Black Dress, My Mind's Eye Blush

Inks: Color Box by Stephanie Barnard-Bubblegum and Licorice

Embellishments: Spellbinders nestabilities circle and square dies, dimensionals

Frosty & Friends: Blogger's Challenge

 Oh, I have had a fun few days off.  I made about 10 dozen cake balls for hubby's work as well as a Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever from Pioneer Woman.  I squeezed in a few cards (like this one) and a few naps as well.  Was enjoyable for me and looking forward to a few weeks from now when I get a few more days off.

Today is Blogger's Challenge and Lisa has given us the theme of "Frosty & Friends".  When I came across this free digital image from Dilly Bean Designs I knew it would be perfect for this week.

I used this fun sketch from My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge #49 this week.

I've been going a little nuts with this Echo Park Season's Greetings patterned paper.  I bought a few packs of Christmas paper this year and I NEVER seem to use it all, so I've been trying to use up a lot more than I have in the past.

 

  

I colored my snowmen with my copics and sponged some color around so they weren't so stark white.  I left the card with no sentiment this week, so I could add one on if I wanted to.  Now that I'm looking at this image, it would be a perfect one for my family of 5 on our Christmas cards :-)

Hope you will join us for some fun over at Blogger's Challenge this week, you can link up over at Lisa's blog here.  Please only current creations, no backlinking to previous work.

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Card details:

Stamps: Snow Family digi from Dilly Bean Designs

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Neenah White, Perfect Little Black Dress, Echo Park Season's Greetings 

Inks: copic markers

Embellishments: dimensionals, Frosted Lace stickles, Kaiser Craft Dec 25th Adhesive jewels

Altered Poison Bottle

We are gearing up for a new challenge today at Stampotique Designer's Challenge.  Maria, aka Lollyrot is our hostess this week and here is what she says about her challenge:

"I have a new fun and creative challenge for you all this week.  Are you ready for Halloween?  Well, guess what?  My challenge for you today is an: Altered poison bottle.  I have a passion for sweet/spooky bottles and I would love to see your creations using Stampotique stamps.  

WARNING:  Don't Drink, that's Poison!  Happy Halloween Stampotique-creatures!

I went in a whole 'nother direction than a lot of the other design team and hopefully you can draw some inspiration from it.  My fellow design team member and friend, Lisa, had made me some GORGEOUS metal flowers and I originally wanted to use them for a gift but the shade of color was just a smidgin' off so I set them aside to use later.  

Along with the metal flowers she sent me these cute little mini glass bottles.  I really wanted to do a shadow box but couldn't find one laying around so I broke out a canvas I had and decided I would alter that.

I filled my mini glass bottle with red stickles, handwrote the sentiment I found online and cut out my loving couple and adhered all onto my canvas.  I framed it with the beautiful flowers.

I encourage you to stop over at the Stampotique Designer's Blog to see what the design team created this week, you will love the various bottles used!

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Canvas Details:

Stamps: Mela 6134, Oliver 6135 from Stampotique 

Cardstock: Neenah White, canvas frame, Old Olive

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, copics

Embellishments: flowers from Lisa, mini glass bottles, stickles

Hi, Sweet Cheeks!

Here is the 2nd in my installment of the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges over on SCS.  This one uses the

MFTWSC40 sketch and is challenge HYCCT1101B :Bling your cling (use bling) hosted by Stamp_momma aka Lori.

I love these 2 little kids, reminds me of my oldest right now and how he is becoming interested in girls.  Kind of a scary thought, but none the less, exciting for him.

I paper pieced Emma's dress with a scrap of papers I had laying around from my last card, thought it worked well, I also paper pieced her tights with the flipside of that paper.  I added some bling to the flower in her hair as well as the center of her belt.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you had a fantastic weekend!  We did here, win for football game and win for the championship game at baseball yesterday, with a little trip to the local fair in between.  The kids had a BLAST, but today it's back to the daily grind.

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Card details:

Stamps: Meet Emma and Wyatt from My Favorite Things

Cardstock: Pure Poppy, Neenah White, Spring Rain, patterned paper unknown

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, copic markers

Embellishments: Zva Crystals, Spellbinders Nestabilities Circle Dies

Today I get to share this little cutie I made over the weekend.  I got this image recently specifically because I've had a few requests for cards with nurses, I work in the nursing home industry, and I have several friends who are in nursing school.  One of my friends, Kristen is in her last year and I don't know how she does it all with 2 kiddos, a hubby and this hobby, but she does and I'm so proud of her.  I got to hang out with Kristen last week while I was in NH and we always have so much fun stamping/coloring and enjoying dinner.  It wasn't nearly long enough but getting to see her every now and then has been wonderful.

So while I was creating my card, I was thinking of her and how meeting her and becoming good friends with her has been such a blessing.  She cracks me up and her accent is so strong I have to ask her to repeat things a lot to make sure I heard her right ;-)

I used the current My Favorite Things sketch for this card although I did turn it to it's side to fit what I needed.  I think if I had a do-over I would change the panel with the sentiment as I don't like all the "white" space it has above the bow.

Hope your week is going as good as mine, we had a great Monday and looking forward to not having to run any kiddos around tonight and just getting to enjoy being at home for the evening.

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Card details:

Stamps: Best Medicine from My Favorite Things

Cardstock: Neenah White, I'm a Princess Pink and Real Red, pattered paper from GCD Studios-Material Girl

Inks: Perfect Little Black Dress, copics

Embellishments: Dare to be a Diva Red ribbon, A Blanc Check twill ribbon (both from Clear & Simple Stamps)

"Fall"ing with Colors

Yeah for stamping time!  In between football and a baseball tournament I was able to get some stamping in here and there.  Had fun doing some challenges and just stamping in general.

This first card was a very easy card for me.  I had the background already inked up sitting in my pile to use.  I had just swiped some Wild Honey & Antique Linen distress stains across my watercolor paper several times go give a multi-colored effect.  I stamped my image from the Bluebird set directly on the background.  Loved how this turned out!

This card is for the CR84FN challenge to use orange, yellow and brown.  Hard to identify the yellow but is on my background and I layered my focal image on some summer sun cardstock.

Card details:

Stamps: Blue Bird from Artistic Outpost

Cardstock: Watercolor paper, Chocolate Chip from SU!, Orange Zest from PTI, Golden Tiara from Clear & Simple Stamps
Inks: Wild Honey & Antique Linen from Tim Holtz Distress Stains, Stephanie Barnard ColorBox Chocolate

Embellishments: Lattice Rectangles from Spellbinders nestabilities, Natural Twine String, button from PTI

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Since I had been working with these colors I also chose to do The Play Date Cafe's 100th Challenge- congrats ladies!   I combined this with Mish's Sketch from 9/13/11 and used the Color Bleed Grid Technique from The Classroom.  Granted mine definitely is not as pretty as Julia's- I have some more playing to do with this technique using a variety of colors.

I used the Feathers set from Clear & Simple Stamps as a more masculine card with these colors.  I swear that is NOT a fingerprint in one of my grids, should have stamped one of the leaves over that.  

Card details:

Stamps: Feathers from Clear & Simple Stamps

Cardstock: Dish All the Dirt Brown, Kraft Like a Rockstar Cream from CSS, Pumpkin Pie from SU!, Mellow patterned paper from Basic Grey

Inks: Dish All the Dirt Brown, Always Artichoke, Copic markers YR14, Y15, G99, Copic Blending Solution

Embellishments: Natural Twine String,Designer Mix Button from CSS

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Hope everyone had a good weekend and your Monday is starting off just right!

Who's Got the Button?

Today at blogger's challenge our theme is Who's Got the Button?  I am last minute nelly these days, usually stamping my card the night before but I hope this next week to work a little bit more ahead of schedule.

I received some gently used stamps this week and I have had my eye on this little guy (or gal) for a very long time.  I was so excited to get a few sets I wanted and couldn't wait to ink it up.  For my button, I just added a dainty little one with a little candy dot on top to offset all the green I used on it.

Along with the blogger's challenge this week, I combined this card with the current MFTWSC37 sketch from My Favorite Things with the new TTC01 challenge from Touch Twin Markers Challenge "Playing with our Peeps".  Hope the little costumed guy (or gal) fits that theme.

I don't have any of the Touch Twin Markers yet, so I colored with my copics.  

If you want to join us for blogger's challenge this week, you can link up over at Lisa's blog. 

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Card details:

Stamps: Little Loveosaurus from My Favorite Things

Cardstock: Green with Envy, Perfect Little Black Dress from Clear & Simple Stamps, Barefoot & Bliss from Bo Bunny

Inks: Licorice from Stephanie Barnard ColorBox, Copic markers

Embellishments: Button from Designer Mix-Clear & Simple Stamps, Candy Dot unavailable, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder

Owl Always...

I'm in love with these patterned owls.  I originally picked this strip of Baby Steps paper by Simple Stories and thought of a baby card, but then decided to just make a card to keep in my stash.

I stamped my image first in I'm a Princess Pink ink and then stamped over it with Dish All the Dirt Brown ink outline stamp.  I love these colors together!

Card details:

Stamps: moreowls2love by The {Stamps}of Life

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue and Chocolate Chip

Inks: I'm a Princess Pink, Dish All the Dirt Brown

Embellishments: mini rhinestones, distresser, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder

For my next card I used the sketch from the Card Ideas for Paper Crafters on p. 76.  I love this issue and think these 2 sketch magazines (the initial Go-To Sketches) are always at hand for me to use when needed for inspiration.

It was very difficult to take a good photo of this card, but you can see the little owls peeking out from the circles.

Card details:

Stamps: owls2love by The {Stamps}of Life

Cardstock: Kraft Like a Rockstar, GCD Studios Material Girl designer paper

Inks: Dish All the Dirt Brown, Copic

Embellishment: circle punches

Patterned Birds & Bugs/SASSC2

If you haven't realized it by now, I have a hard time getting away from pink, blue, green color combination. My office is that color and I absolutely *LOVE* working with these colors.

I sat down and colored this new image the other night. I just received a few sets from Stamper's Dream and this Patterned Birds & Bugs by Inkadinkado was one of them. The set is fantastic and can't wait to use more of them.

This card was for Stamps & Smiles Sketch Challenge #2. They have some darling new stamps to be released soon. Join in the challenges, they are giving away the whole new release to one who does all the challenges. I have some catching up to do but I'm not too far behind.

Stamps: Patterned Birds & Bugs

Paper: Regal Rose, Bordering Blue, Certainly Celery, Basic Black, DCWV Posies Glitter Print

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Jumbo Eyelets, Rhinestone Fire Circle Brads, Ribbon unknown, Janome Sewing, Scallop Punch

Clean & Simple Card

I was inspired to try one of Natasha's Clean & Simple Designs this week and while it took me about 3 days to do in between working & kids, I finally completed them. Now, if I had a free night, this would have been a breeze to do and one I will definitely use again.

I used two stamp sets I bought when I went shopping with some friends in MD on one of my trips up there (Gosh, they made me spend so much money with them!). I hadn't used either one yet and loved being able to use them. I have a very sarcastic sense of humor and absolutely loved this sentiment stamp when I saw it; I thought of my friend Rose & Kerry and knew they would appreciate it!

I also got the opportunity to start messing with my Copics. I still have a lot of work ahead of me but love the tutorials I've found on them. The more I play, the more I want :-) I need to hold off though as we are going on a cruise soon and we need to save some funds for that!

I actually created a set of 3 of these, 2 thank you's and 1 birthday card to add to my stash.

Card Details:
Stamps: Little Bird by Amuse, Rat's Ass by River City Rubber Works, Heartfelt Thanks by Stampin'Up!
Cardstock: Only Orange, Green Galore, Pink Passion, PP by Stampin'Up!
Inks: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Nestabilities

Technostamper's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #51

I was so EXCITED to receive my first copic order on Friday (only she delivered it hours before I discovered it). I'm hoping my 2nd order of them will be arriving this week (hopefully Wed).

I broke out a favorite simple stamp of mine by Stampotique- Marsye Carrier called Pretty Flowers. Figured this would make a great stamp to try out the copics on. I didn't have a wide range of colors yet and I forgot to photo which ones I used, but I like my first attempt. Of course I will need to play a LOT more to get some good coloring/shading skills with them, but I'm happy I took the plunge and bought a few.

Make sure to check out Mary Jo's post and join us in the challenge this week. Would love to see your take on the sketch!

Card details:
Stamp Set: Stampotique- Marsye Carrier called Pretty Flowers
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Crate Sweet Branch Collection (Hope & Cherish), Papertrey white
Inks: Versafine Onyx Black
Accessories: Nestabilities, Circle punches, pearls from Kaiser scrapbook

Thanks for checking my card out and have a Fabulous week!