My first sketch as DT member of Unscripted Sketches! sketch #21

I have always loved this site- Unscripted Sketches. The sketch is fabulous and you can do anything you want to it, rotate it, flip it, make a layout or any other altered item as long as you can see the original idea of the sketch! I first went on here to do layouts, but have navigated back to cards for the simplicity.
The stamps used are Verve- Up and Away, black ink. The papers are a kit I purchased from Taylored Expressions (there is some MME in there...), Flair choc flowered DP and CTMH choc c/s as the base of the card. CTMH sparkles on top, subtle and part of the sketch. I took this picture outside and LOVE how the sun made the cloud's shadows. Really can see the effect of the 3D foam.

Don't forget to stop by the blog site or the other team members for their awesome artwork. Seven of us are new to the team so you should find plenty of inspiration!!!

Don't forget my blog candy- leave a comment at that post (not this one, see sidebar link w/photo) to enter! Drawing on 9/1/09! Good luck!

Are You Ready for Back to School?

** Don't forget to enter your name into my blog candy challenge! Click on the link on the left to go to the comment section and leave your favorite summer memory- deadline 8/31! **

I am almost ready. School clothes purchased, supplies are gotten, backpacks and lunch bags ready to fill, classmates are known, teachers are ready..... but sadly, I am not. Not that I won't mind the quiet, more time to create, lunch dates with hubby. But I will miss the kiddos. We have had a great few weeks together, going bowling, thrift store hunting, learning to cook, be better shoppers, and reading some great new books at the library. Summer just was over too fast for us. Didn't help that we had some really crappy weather the months of June and July. September is always meloncholy for me. My oldest is going into middle school and I am sad. For the first time, I am feeling my age and don't like it.

The cards above have actually lifted my spirits today. They have turned into the cutest danged cards! I just love them! Kris gave me some Reminisce stickers that she felt were "been there done that- KWIM?" and that I could put them to better use. I found a sketch at Inspirational Card Sketches #31 and really struggled with the image to do, in twofold no less. These stickers helped me fill the bill! I used the entire sheet, some scraps of black, orchid bouquet and petal CTMH cardstock, scraps of ribbon and these stickers. Now, the photo "stage" is taken in my front window. The set was too large to do on my black c/s and it is raining outside (like cats and dogs, hahaha couldn't resist that one!!LOL!) After I made them, my DD just loved them and wants to give them as a gift to a girlfriend. AHA! Cuttlebug Challenge #46 is to make a new gift set- these are PERFECT for a tween girl or even a college freshman to keep in touch with mom. Wonder who is going to be the lucky recipient of them.....????ME!

4 Challenges today!

**Did you enter my blog candy give away yet? See the link on the left, click on the photo to take you to spot to leave a comment! Enter through 8/31! **

Card Patterns sketch #29. It started off differently in my head. Usually do and sometimes they turn out successful. I think when I should have walked away, I kept on going. The colors just weren't popping and I used black- which can make things really stand out. I think I should have left well enough alone.... Butterfly and flourish cut on Cricut, Home Decor (my newest addition!)

This card looks so much prettier in person. What the camera doesn't pick up is that the paper has this glimmer about it, making it very elegant. Wedding ensemble from Reminisce. 365 Cards on Sunday does a Super Sketch. Perfect for a wedding shower. Button eyelet is WeRMK, Shower fabric tag is anna griffin, ac moore black satin ribbon.

This card is perfect for friends! Cuttlebug challenge was to use the word "hot" somewhere on the card. CTMH's Coffee shop stamp set was calling my name for this card! The sketch is from Papertake Weekly #22. Used my swiss dots embossing folder, juniper ink, liquid applique and cinnamon, fiskars punch, hemp, buttons and wrote my tag out to complete the card.

Let It Snow

**Don't forget to enter a comment on the link to the left on my blog! I am giving away some blog candy for reaching 10,000 hits! wa-hoo!**

Found myself last night getting a surge of creativity at 11pm. Hubby went to bed, kids in bed, and I stayed up making a layout and card. I am finding that this card boarders on "too much", but when I took away some of the elements, it was too plain. Go figure! The Pink Elephant had a great sketch this week and I went with the winter theme. I should have a good stash of holiday/Christmas cards for this year- won't have to wait until the last minute to make (ha! like I have time to do that!). I think the paper is Reminisce, as well as the glitter snowflake and snowman stickers. Embossed some turquoise cardstock to follow the snow thems,, pop dotted, buttoned and ribboned the card up to finish it off.

Have a "cool" kinda day!

Monogram Card

**Don't forget to enter a comment for the blog candy giveaway! See link to the left on my blog!**

Back into the challenge game and today created one card for 2 challenges. 365 Cards Day #177 Monogram Monday and the sketch is from 2Sketches4You. I loved the sketch and knew the perfect papers to use for it. These are the Sabrina line by MM. "K" is a chipboard, stamped a basket weave onto the white circle - too plain just white. Satin ribbon, hat pins and circle rhinestones finish off the card. Even added that extra bling onto the "k" chipboard with liquid glass and prisma glitter!

Blog Candy- CLOSED

I am a little late but want to celebrate 10,000 hits with some give away! Papers are Flair, 2 sets of 6x6 packaged and ready to be added to your layout or to make some Pool Party Invites! Also some matching cardstock stickers and ribbon. All you have to do to be eligible to win is:

- Be a U.S. resident (sorry canada or international... ;(
-Leave a comment on this post (and your blog address) by August 31st, 10pm EST. Drawing will take place on 9.1.09.
-Leave a link on your blog mentioning my blog candy, linking back to this entry.
- Tell me what your favorite Summer Memory has been. It can be this year or from the past. Even though Summer is officially over 9/20, our house considers summer over on the first day back to school. Yup, 8.31.09 is BTS-day.
-One entry per person, please ;)

From this point on, I will be doing a monthly give-away. Each time will be something different. September will be back-to-school- stayed tuned!!!

Thanks for playing along and good luck!

3 to See!

This card was created for The Pink Elephant and Cute Card Thursday. Amazingly enough, both sites asked for Summer Themed Cards. Well, nothing beats the Seashore for summer images! LOL! This is Maize, she is a prize that I won from Twisted Thursday, during CHA week. She is sassy, cute, independent and I just love her. The paper is from DCWV, Fun in the Sun, even the colors I used are summery: breeze blue from CTMH, pink on the bucket, light greens and yellows. Even the paper is glittery, reminding me of the way the hot summer sun reflects on the granules of sand- temporarily blinding you!

Lovely Gracie's Birthday Card completed 3 challenges. Sherrod Studio , Card Positioning Systems #130 sketch design and Inky Impressions Paper Piecing challenge. Gracie's shirt and balloon were pieced using Basic Greys paper, same pattern line as the balloon DP. Birthday is a fabric sticker, I think from Anna Griffin????? The balloon was put on 3d foam to give the impression of floating.

And I actually completed a layout for a challenge on Unscripted Sketches. When I first started following US, this was the site that I could use for all of my backlog of photos. Scrapping seems to take so much time anymore and cards have become addicting! And less time consuming.... So, today I am by myself and am trying to do a few layouts before the day is done. I love this picture of my girls. They were walking down to the lake, way ahead of their father and I and it makes me think of the 3 musketeers. My girls can be the best of friends and the worst of enemies. This day, they were united in their explorations of the world around them and I love it! I stamped on Burlap, gives that fall feeling, and made my own leaves- properly placing them so they look like they are free falling off of the trees. Hemp was the final touch that pulled this together.

Are you ready for fall?

I can't get enough of these challenges! (3 to visit)

Card Positioning Systems- sketch challenge #129. Broke out the Fun in the Sun papers DCWV, CTMH stamp that I haven't used in forever, think it is called Dainty. Solid image in yellow then the beauty of clear stamps- the outline of the flowers in orange. Love my bright green satin ribbon and Chloes Closed pins.

365 Cards- Super Sketchy Sunday challenge #169. This actually came out better than I thought it would. Used Basic Grey Wisteria papers, Fiskars border punch, prima flower (added some sparkle to it), tag, sentiment CTMH business builder set, and misc chocolate satin ribbon.

Finally- sketch from 2Sketches4You #33. More Basic Grey papers, organdy ribbon, SU stamped sentiment, Heidi Grace hat pins.

Thanks for stopping by- I really need to do some other stuff around the house! LOL! Having too much fun creating!

Two for Tuesday (morning that is...!)

So, DH commented on this card. Something like this...."awww, what a nice autumn card. Browns and oranges." Huh? Guess he didn't get the memo that these colors are the new pink and black! Leave it to a man. Doesn't quite get it. But, I will say that he is VERY good at making me feel like my efforts are worth it. He is very supportive of my "habit" and hasn't complained that we no longer own a dining room since my papers and embellishments have taken over ever corner! On to the card.... The sketch was from The Fresh Batch. However I took a little creative liberty and moved my ribbon to a vertical placement on the card (looks like I rotated it 90'). I cut the flowers on my cricut in 3 sizes, curled upwards for depth and added some orange sparkle glitter. Handcut leaves and curled them upwards too. All products Bobunny.

Sketch for this one from Unscripted Sketches. Bobunny papers and the digi cupcake image from SoftPencil. The big 'sprinkles' I just cut out with a large hole punch! CTMH button and misc red ribbon. What you cannot tell in the photo is the dimension, since the middle panel is popdotted. My girls have 3 b'day parties this week and the cards are perfect! I love being ahead of the game!

Have a great day-

Sketch Challenge w/ a Cupcake!

Card created for Cupcake Craft Challenge, to celebrate their one year anniversary, design a card with a cupcake! Yup, it fits! The sketch is from BoBunny!

Isn't she cute!!?? This is a digi image from Soft Pencil. I wasn't all that into digi's, but now that I have a few, they really are so much fun to work with! I can resize them to fit any project that I am doing! Colored her in with Neo markers and used prisma glitter on the icing (just for that extra added touch!) The birthday sentiment is another digi image from over at Cuttlebug Challenges. I usedbobunny papers, CTMH buttons, and scallop scissors. The final outcome is one cute b'day card for a special little girl-

Thanks for stopping over!

Your Next Stamp 1st Design Team Call

I am tossing my hat into the Design Team Call for Your Next Stamp. Check out this site- tey have some adorable stamps and accessories (more places for me to spend money LOL!) I was to showcase 2 of my favorite cards, but had a hard time limiting it to 2, so I put in 4 (yes, overkill!) But I really wanted to highlight my creativity! The top card was a freebit digi image, I forgot where he came from. My DD LOVES monkeys, so this card was made in her honor. The patterned paper- has sock monkeys on it, but you cannot tell because of all of the design elements going on!LOL! Got some new markers that I have been playing with, this is new to me, but having fun coloring (takes me back to elementary school....) Thanks for looking and wish me luck!

Simple Saturday

today, i want quick easy cards. not too much to think about, not too much to add, not too much of anything. can you believe that my wish came true? this top card is for 365 Cards, super sunday sketch from last week. easy peasy: used a scrap ribbon to add a bow to the top of my card, a matching foam sticker that comes with the chloes' closet paper, the middle piece of paper is a journal tag, hemp, button and a simple sentiment for my friend. makes a great card for that favorite girlfriend in your life!

....and this card actually completed 4 challenges! wahoo and it was another easy peasy card to put together! background: remember when carolling was in? haven't had a caroller in years, but after we would go to a neighborhood, we would come home and drink yummy hot cocoa. do you know how fun this card was to put together? the memories it brought back..... (sigh)

Sketch - Card patterns
Who Is Tracy- to add dimension to your card. I added liquid applique to my cup, heated and added cinnamon. smelled yummy while making the foam froth!
Our Creative Corner- christmas in august
and 365 Cards- touch of toile. this paper from Flair reminds me of toile. each part of the 12x12 had a different winter scene, all done in reds and very reminiscent of the fabric. did you see the green background paper and the words of the christmas carols? everything just works together! LOVE IT!

CPS #128 Challenge

I have been following the CPS site for a bit and finally took the time to play along. I used some Chloe's Closet papers, matching flower cardstock, misc ribbon, BoBunny rubon, clear stickers. I have really been stretching my comfort zone lately with my styles, colors, and patterns. Interesting outcomes.....

Thank God Its........FRIDAY

(click on the image for a clearer picture)
I found a new site this week called Inky Impressions. This weeks challenge was to use an image from II (which they gave us this one to download) and to create a card with a tag! Fun, fun! I just got a set of new markers, like Copics, without the price tag! So, my first card using these new fun tools to create a vintage, distressed birthday card. I added some MM mini tag alphas for the sentiment "fairy wishes", added some gold glitter to the wings, Heidi Grace tool to distress and prima flowers finish off this card. Not my usual style, but hey, we all need to move outside of our box of comfort from time to time!

This card, made for the Pink Elephant Challenge (which I am new to) gives me that feeling of freedom that the weekend provides. Their challenge was to make a project using Brown, Turquoise, and a neutral. Now, I don't consider off white c/s a neutral, green is just an added touch of color. The stamp is Verve, and even though I have had it for a bit, I never saw the cloud stamp until yesterday! It made a perfect embellishment for me! Cut it out and popdotted to really give the feeling of floating carefree in the air! Love it! Paper is Bobunny.

Now, here, I am completely out of my comfort zone..... This card was made for 365Cards (Color Scheme Challenge day #164). Which was to use red, yellow, orange, purple, and blue. Hard to tell, but the purple was added by my tiny rhinestones! LOL! I need some B'day cards for the girls to give to friends and wanted something fun and summery. Those colors are really fun...!!! The sketch is 2 Sketches 4 You which helped me pull these colors together. The paper is BoBunny. I fussy cut out the waves in the ocean from a 12x12 sheet of paper. The round "ball" helps to give the feeling of movement (the waves crashing and receding along the yellow shore line). Fussy cut out fish to add to the general beach feel. This card even makes the Cute Card Thursday Challenge- Beach themed! The mini rhinestones give the final touch of how the sand and water sparkle in the bright sunshine. It is very eclectic and I am happy with the end product. My girls love it and we already have dibs on the friend it goes to!

Happy Friday everyone- maybe today I can find a bit more time to play???? One can only be hopeful as I look forward to another wonderful relaxing weekend.

4 Challenges on one card.....

...and I thought that Pile It On was too complicated! Ha! I love the bright colors on this card! So summery and beachy- need those reminders on a day like today (raining cats and dogs here!)

Works for Cute Card Thursday- create a project Beach Themed
Sherrod Studio- showcase stamps for the DT and new releases for today (leave a comment on the site and chance to win a free set!)
Twisted Thursday- follow the sketch and use 4 brads
365 Cards: Card Recipe- 4x7, glitter, 5 blossoms, wet embossed sentiment, 3 patterned papers didn't do the wet embossed :(

Thanks for popping in today! My ivy has finally settled down thanks to the steroids I am on. My fingers aren't so swollen anymore and I can actually stamp!

supplies: By the Seashore by Sherrod Studio, CTMH B&T black paper, DCWV fun in the sun, prisma glitter, misc markers, prima flowers, CTMH brads, misc ribbon, CTMH black ink

Happy Thanksgiving

Welcome to the last day of previews for Sherrod Studio! This set, Harvest Blessings is so versatile! Many sentiments and images to be combined to say what YOU want to say. I chose to highlight this set by making a tablescape (yes, I watch too much Semi-homemade...). The cornucopia makes a great placecard to set your table and I stamped "we are thankful for" to show that family member we are thankful for them. The turkey made a great element to tie my napkins with instead of using a traditional napkin ring. When you see my set of dishes, I bought a set of Pfaltgraff winter berry to take me into the holidays with. Not quite the orange or red for Thanksgiving, but the stamped images help me keep in season. Check out Sherrod Studio, leave a comment and enter a chance to win a free set! Good Luck!

Day 3 of Sneak Peeks

More Friendship Blossoms- the sentiment and flower. Sherrod Studio new releases. Paper by colorbok, matching diecut flower and paper pieced. Don't forget to stop by the other DT's blogs.

2 for tuesday, part 2 (for Card Patterns)

I just rec'd this digi image in my email today from Soft Pencil-isn't she adorable! I won the prize last week over at Cupcake Craft Challenge and chose a couple of images that are just too cute! I used new papers Fun in the Summer by DCWV. Misc ribbon tape, buttons, and love the glitter on the water. I used a rubon for the words and handwrote the rest of the sentiment (hate my writing!) This card was influenced by the sketch challenge on Card Patterns this week.

This last card is just SO SPARKLY, I am wearing glitter as I type and shine in the sun!LOL! Card Patterns influenced the sketch. I also completed this card for the challenge over at Caardvarks- to create a winter themed project. The paper is Reminisce, snowflake is an iron on. The bear is popdotted for added depth and the glitter was added to the tag sentiment. I am having too much fun making winter cards lately (that and baby girl ones!) This heat "wave" we are having is keeping me indoors (besides the fact that I am literally covered head to toe in poison ivy, every day new sores appear and cannot wait for the steroid to kick in!!!)