Happy Holidays

No artwork for this week at Unscripted Sketches. Have a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and enjoy time with your family!

Creative Belli DT call

I am going to try my hand at the DT call over at Belli Challenges. The challenge is to create a project using flourishes. I used the cuttlebug folder to emboss a DP from bobunny and created this wonderful friendship card. It is a trifold card- made for my best friend since high school. We get together yearly to scrapbook and catchup! My favorite time of the year (here's to you Laura!)

2nd card challenge for today

True to my word, back again with another birthday card using DCWV patterned paper.

First, let me tell you that I used the sketch at Card Positioning Systems as my starting point. However, I don't do circle cards, BUT, I cut a large circle on the cricut to be my focal point on this card. The next best news is that today while getting last minute paper and tags for christmas gifts, I couldn't pass up the clearance aisle in Mikes. I found this new LARGE candle stamp set by Hampton Arts, on sale from 14.99 to 7.99. Gave up a 50% coupon for the choc candy melts I was buying and the computer applied my coupon to the stamp set!! wahoo- got this great b'day set for $4.00!!! I even brought it to the attention of the cashier and she said, "merry christmas to you!" So after doing some laundry to assuage my guilt of crafting, I couldn't wait to start playing! Love it!

sketch challenge

If you have seen my posts for the last few days, you will recognize the DP from DCWV. Since it is sitting on my table, I am going to try to use the paper in full, no putting it away for another day, dwindle down the scrap box.

The sketch comes from a new site to me, Sketch and Stash Challenge #25. My stash used are: the hat pins from Heidi Grace that I picked up a year or so ago in Big Lots and the dollar stamp from Clear G of the cupcake w/the sentiment. I am also putting this card into Crafty Creations #47 Challenge: No Rules ( it is so nice to do something other than winter/holiday cards!LOL!)

I chose to do a birthday card theme for this paper pack b/c at the past fairs that we participated in November the one card that everyone asked for was "birthday" and we pretty much sold out of what was here. So, now well armed with what sells, I am going to be busy making B'day cards!

See you later this week with more b'day cards!!!lol!!

Its a celebration!

Today, I am highlighting 2 of the cards that I decided to make this morning during school delays. Very easy to make once you have a sketch in hand! The sketch that I used is from The Pink Elephant #46 (my cards are upside down!!!) and also for challenge #71 Time for Celebration over at Cupcake Craft Challenge. Funny how the cards are appropriate for the "cupcake" challenge...LOL!

And as an added bonus, I am going to enter these cards into the DT call over at Creative Card Crew! I would love an opportunity to design cards weekly!!!

The stamps are Clear G and Verve, DCWV embossed and glittered paper, misc ribbon, flowers and buttons, as well as CTMH rhinestones.

Thanks for stopping over!

Anything but Winter

I have to say that I am officially over making Christmas and Winter themed cards! I think that I have been making them since July. I came across a challenge this weekend, Charisma Cardz, to make ANYTHING but winter! BTW, there is also a DT call over at Creative Card Crew that "anything goes", so what they hey, I am all for trying! Yeah!

So, while stuck inside during our snowstorm, I was able to create 2 sets of 4 cards using this Bobunny paper stash I have. As you can tell by the photos, there is so much glare from the sunshine on the snow today, it really was difficult to take an outstanding shot. But, you get the gist of the cards....LOL!

The top cards use a sketch from Lord Have Mercy #50 and the bottom cards use the same sketch, just changed up a bit to fit my cards. I just love these paper packs!!!

Thanks for stopping by today- enjoy the craziness before Christmas gets here!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Todays post is a recap of some of my favorite winter cards. I am relaxing after digging out of 18" of snow here in PA and decided that with Christmas in 5 days, no crafting for me. Instead, I am highlighting some of my faves from Bobunny and Reminisce paper collections. I am entering these into the Twisted Thursday and Stamp Something challenges to post your favorite holiday card. Also into Our Creative Corner and Tuesday Taggers for using the theme of "let it snow"!

With the snow cards, my wish came true (although a bit early!) that we will have a white Christmas! My kids are loving it, not so much for the dogs! They can only hop through it as it comes well past their bellies!

So without further ado, I am wishing all of you a wonderful holiday! Happy New Year and thanks to you, this has been one exciting, fabulous journey on blogland! I am so looking forward to 2010!

something different

Each year for Christmas, I try to give a gift of myself to my girls. I started a tradition where I make them gift certificate booklets with vouchers inside for some much needed Mommy time. There are 6 per girl, with each book taylor made for each. The books are completely different since they each have different needs. Mik loves to snuggle and be touched- whether it is brushing her hair, massaging her back, just hugging and watching TV together. She values these books the most. So with sketch from Unscripted in hand, I made the cover of her book. I made the GC using MS word, templates for GC. Then I changed them up to make them more personal. Added the mother/daughter clip art photo, typed in dates and printed out (3 to a page!) This will be a winner of a gift!!

flourishes galore!

During a recent scrap retreat overnighter with a friend, I needed to work on my challenges for Unscripted Sketches. I took these older school photos of my daughters and lugged paper and stash around 2 state lines to work on. Kris gave me some wonderful fun products- anna griffen felt sticker flourishes and chipboard letters, as well as flourish chipboards from bobunny (BB is the paper line too.) The contrast of the brown with the paper really helps make the photo pop. I was able to punch holes in the chipboard to add the larger brads (CTMH chocolate). The trip was a success! I was able to complete 2 layouts, 3 cards as a gift, and a small present for a daughter. As well as shop for other holiday presents! Great 24 hours away from home!

O christmas tree....

I even have a stamp set titled O Christmas Tree, which is used here on this set of cards. I am giving them to my dearest and oldest friend for the holidays. These cards fit the challenge over at Tuesday Taggers. Thanks for stopping over!

The glitter is MS, anna griffin papers, misc ribbons, CTMH O christmas tree stamp and rhinestones.

How many challenges??

15. Yes, you read that correctly! This card completes 15 challenges this week! I just love how it turned out- if I don't say so myself (hehe!)

papers: bobunny jack frost winter, glimmer mist for sparkle, wood stamp, ms snowflake punch, copic markers, lace, bling, prisma glitter, CB swiss dots embossing folder, choc distressing ink.

here is the list of challenges:
Card Positioning Systems #144- sketch
gingersnap creations #31- monochromatic (browns)
pink elephant #43- color me wonderful, my use of copic markers and choc distressing ink for added depth and color
daring cardmakers- say it in 'sepia', use brown/cream to make card (blank inside for the perfect thank you card!)
crafty creations #44- lace and distressing
pile it on- tinsel town
stamp challenges- glitzy winter
cuttlebug challenges- use of bling and glitter
cuttlebug spot- winter themed
crafty 4 challenges- punch happy (snowflake punches)
charisma cardz- anything christmas
cute card thursday- swirly girly card
tuesday taggers- christmas card, use a carol as inspiration (frosty the snowman...)

Cupcake Craft Challenge #69- christmas carol

Creative card crew- christmas

How to use up leftover letters....

Unscripted Sketches tossed out a doozy of a challenge this week! I really got stumped with all of the dots...!! So, brain went into overdrive. Started out with the photo, found the papers that matched (old, old old bobunny stash!) and came across these wonderful glitter chipboard letters in my stash. Viola! The letters made the perfect "title" for my layout and solved my problem of the dots! I love it when my brain works up a great idea....! hehehe! This is a great way to use the letters of the alpha that never quite have a word that works. q's, u's, v's...? Laid out the letters, found a string of the alphabet that fit across the page and realized that the photo is a 'school' photo, the title indicates learning.... see where I went with it? So, I am challenging you to use up your stash of alpha letters in a unique way for a title! Let me see what you can do!

new challenge site

Toothpicks. We are to use toothpicks in our project. Now that is something new, including this new site called "Everything but the Kitchen Sink". So, here is my entry into the challenge, the toothpicks are the flag poles. How is that for celebration?!?!

Details: reminisce papers and flag stickers, close to my heart cardstock, cuttlebug embossing swiss dots, blue grosgrain ribbon, buttons.

quick and easy card

So, I won a prize before Thanksgiving, a $25 voucher to spend at Simon Says Stamp. I have been wanting to try some glimmer mist and picked it up. Now the great thing- it really does make your work sparkle. The bad-it curled all of my paper! Maybe if I had used more cardstock vs. paper it wouldn't have done this. So, the card is now taken apart and sitting under some heavy boxes to straighten it out.

In the meantime, as I said in my earlier post, I am on a mission to use up products. Seems like I always am..... Anywho.... This was easy peasy to put together. Used old bobunny, creative memories and flair papers. The poinsetta is a chipboard from Paperbliss and the sentiment is a chipboard piece from K&Co. Pearl glitter mist gives it the sparkle.

1) Day #275 365 Cards: Tis the season, use red and green
2)Belli Challenge #79: chipboard
3) Charisma Cardz #47: anything christmas
4) Cupcake Craft Challenge #68: red and green
5) color throwdown #71: olive, red, brown/cream, pink (used cream for mat and christmas is in pink)

Using up the stash sitting around my craft area...

I realized over Thanksgiving, while I was cleaning, how much stuff I really do have for papercrafting. Not only do I have my Close To My Heart papers and stamps, blocks and inks too, but due to Kristen's wonderful generosity, I have more than I really know what to do with. I am on a mission to use up stickers, ribbons, flowers, chipboards and such to reduce my stockpile. See, when I get "current" stuff, I feel guilty just adding onto my pile!LOL!

Today, I am using Flair stickers to create 3 cards, one of which is on display here. The DP is flair, using Barn Red and Indian Corn Blue cardstock of CTMH. The challenges I am entereing this card in are:

1) Crafty 4 Challenges: punch happy. I used my new MS punch, double loops (for the edging on the BR c/s)
2) Stampin Sisters in Christ: "gift" on it. well, I have the word "gift"....LOL! I know, I am stretching it a bit!
3) Charisma Cardz: anything Christmas
4) Our Creative Corner: the sketch, which is always my starting point

Final details: glitter glue to outline the ornaments, embroidery floss for the strings, CTMH stamp sentiment, black ink.

do you every scrap yourself?

I am usually behind the camera, rarely in front. And if I am in front, most of the time is because I have to ask to have my photo taken to prove that I existed! LOL! So, I am trying to do a better job of getting in the scrapbooks myself, mostly as a reminder to my family that I was here, made an impression on them, and to see me as I age. My mom passed away when I was 24 and there aren't many shots of her. I don't want my girls to only have a few memories of me.

The sketch this week at Unscripted Sketches (#33) had me scratching my head. What photo to use, then what color scheme to go with? Decisions, decisions. So, digging thru my photos, came across this one from last year, a family day trip to this wonderful outdoor art museum. Grounds for Sculpture, Trenton NJ. Ever been there? Don't wait, run there!! What a fabulous day! Over 260 pieces of art scattered throughout the grounds- some you can touch (like me sitting on this metal abstract) others, they tell you to look with your EYES only. Even my fussy girls loved being there!

deets: all cardstock CTMH, mm rubons, joann metal tags (to go with the metal art I am on), leaves misc (to remember the outdoors) and the paper clip (officemax) as a reminder of the abstract beauty.

Teen Fashionista Cards

Went away for the night with a girlfriend and was on a creative roll! One of my lovely daughters asked me to make her teacher some cards for a going away present. The teacher is a student teacher and her last day is December 4th. So with papers, stamps, and other fun stuff that came along for the ride, I was able to make 6 of these cute cards! Kris gave me some older Anna Griffin dimensional stickers- these very girly ones, and I was able to use all but 2 of them on these cards. The papers I coordinated with them are from MM, the Sabrina line. And don'tcha love the stamps?! They are from CTMH "be yourself" and they worked perfectly! DD was very happy with the cards and I have 3 extras I am giving to my hairdresser today for a small token of appreciation. And a big shout out goes to Cute Card Thursday for the Teen Terror challenge! These would be perfect for any teen!

sketchy saturday

Welcome to the unscripted challenge #32 sketch. I used my cricut to cut out the flower (aka snowflake) for my winter themed card. Used the last of my organdy white ribbon (yeah!), CTMH button and sentiment, K&Co rhinestone complete this card. Reminisce scraps. Kris RAK'd me with some glitter glue which I broke out and added around the snowflake and the tag to give that icy winter feeling.

bobunny sketch challenge

Surfing (or blurfing) the other day, I ran across another contest sponsored at Bo Bunny. I like the sketch, found it a bit tough at times- changed my pictures twice! I used a variety of small items to make this 'pop'! All bobunny papers from the Candy line. Bobunny swirl chipboard (yummy colors to choose from here too!) Misc black stickers, misc buttons with twine, flowers from bobunny and prima, ctmh rhinestones, misc ribbon tape. Maybe someday soon I will have some NEW bobunny products to play with (hint hint DH for christmas!!)

monochromatic

entering this card in the Monochromatic challenge over at Gingersnap Creations. The paper and die cut stickers are Reminisce papers, white/silver glitter. Simple sentiment from Stampin'Up! Silver ribbon from Mike's finishes off the card!

Sketchy Saturday

Welcome to another sketch challenge brought to you by Unscripted Sketches! I love this weeks sketch (then again, I love them all...Hehehe!) There are so many possibilites in which to create a project. Flip it, turn it, rotate it- as long as it retains the original thought, make it yours!

Christmas is a few weeks away and I am busy making cards for my friends and family. What is surprising to me, is the amount of winter/holiday themed paper that I have. So, in my quest to purge, I found a few sheets of this beautiful Reminisce paper that will make a few wonderfully easy cards. The sentiment is actual vellum that I cut, attached with vellum adhesive (love this tombow tape!) and added some mini pearls by basic grey. Punched a few snowflakes with MS punch, there ya go!

thinking outside the box....

bobunny has a sketch challenge going on this week. All 3 of these cards use the same sketch as the foundation! this is my second entry- but...... if you read the instructions you are to make a Christmas card, use majority bobunny papers/products, and try to think outside of the box. so, going through my stash of wonderful papers last night, i came across this old, but beautiful collection called Romance. So, black goes with everything, right? and what better way to make the cards seem christmas-y than by adding red as an accent! So, bringing out my trusty cricut, christmas cheer, i cut out the holly and the ornaments in black cardstock. used red glitter glue to accent the ornaments to make them sparkly and added red gemstones to the holly berries. these small touches really made the cards much more elegant than if i had left them alone.


deets: bobunny romance dots and stripes dp paper
close to my heart sentiments: holly berries, christmas scripts
red glitter glue, black marker, misc ribbons (btw: the black ribbon is from a gift box wrapped at talbots!)
black, tan and off white cardstock.

thanks for stopping by today!

bobunny sketch challenge

I love bobunny papers. unfortunately, it is not easy finding the collections in my area and i must travel a good distance to get it. but it is well worth the drive!

The sketch on bobunny was a fun one to use. this will be my first entry into the challenge, using Jack Frost Collection. I just love blue and red together to create a wintery feel!

deets: bobunny papers, anna griffin alpha letters, cricut to cut the snowflake- glittered with MS glitter. american crafts satin ribbon, basic grey blue button, heidi grace pins, glitter glue on the letters to create a snowy feel.

thanks for stopping by!