Freshly Made Sketches: Jingle Bells

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Karren.

I knew right away that I had an older set in my Christmas unused stash that would work for this sketch - Papertrey Ink's Ombre Sentiments: Christmas.  Nothing like not going "ombre" with a set called "Ombre"!!


I had every intention of creating a rainbow of color - either as a background or on the sentiments themselves.  But then I saw the paper, then I remembered how last year I was not prepared with an appropriate number of masculine cards, and the whole card changed.  (But I still managed to sneak in a little shimmer and glimmer!!)

I hope to see you playing along!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Ombre Sentiments: Christmas
Dies: Impression Obsession Christmas Icons
Paper: Carta Bella 6x6 Christmas Delivery, Glitter paper from Michaels, PTI Scarlet Jewel

Freshly Made Sketches: Grateful

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Cécile.

Cécile's sketches are always so fun and creative.  They make me put things together in a way that I'd never think of.  I didn't go quite as bold and graphic as the sketch - but I love how it came together.


I have a dear friend who recently moved far, far away, and she now lives on a lakeshore.  She sends pictures as she's drinking her morning cup of coffee on the dock.  It's so peaceful and absolutely gorgeous.  So I was thinking ahead to Thankdgiving cards and decided to do a fall lake scene with a comfy chair.  (I'm not sure the lake part is obvious - but there's blue water, fall trees and then sky!  I think she'll see it.)

I hope to see you playing along!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Stampin' Up Falling Leaves (sentiment)
Dies: Stampin' Up Seasonal Layers Thinlits, Stitched Shapes Framelist
Cardstock: Stampin' Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray
Ink: Ranger Distress Oxides Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade, Broken China, Stampin' Up Basic Gray
Embellishments: Stampin' Up Glitter Enamel Dots

Cattitude is Everything Gift Tin

I took my son back to college last Friday.   A little sad for me, but not too sad.  I know he loves it there - it's become his home.  And it's only 90 miles away.  Plus I still have a high school senior and a husband (who just had his second foot surgery and will be non-functional for months so it's like having a small child again!!)

I wanted to give my son some words of encouragement but he's not a serious kind of guy.  In honor of our annoying but totally beloved family cats - I created this gift tin for him.


I totally forgot to take a picture of the inside - and that's what really makes it right for him.  Although "cattitude is everything" - on the inside I stamped "Coffee helps!!" and included a large coffee gift card.  He loved it.
The back-to-school trip was interesting.  We went last Friday evening and Colorado was already bracing for the traffic for today's big event (for those not in the direct path and haven't had news coverage 24/7 - big solar eclipse today!!) The interstate back to Colorado State University is the same interstate to Wyoming where the eclipse is total!!

It is insane!  Sadly, I didn't even get eclipse safety glasses.  Who knew they'd be sold out absolutely everywhere weeks in advance?   Dinky little hotel rooms in small towns are going for thousands of dollars.  I've heard stories of small towns in Oregon who have totally run out of gasoline.  Cell service is a huge problem in these states. Apparently the population of the state of Wyoming will double today!!  (But I just saw a local news story on Stapleton, Nebraska this morning and it's cloudy, rainy and drizzly.  There are going to be a lot of extremely disappointed people.)
SUPPLY LIST

Clearly Planned - Cattitude	Small Hinged Tin	Gift Card Frame	Little Bits - Let's Talk Bubble 2
TE 6x6 Paper Pack - Build a Scene	TE Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube	TE Premium Cardstock - Oreo	TE Premium Cardstock - Cookie Monster
TE Premium Ink - Oreo - Full Pad	VersaMark - Watermark Stamp Pad	Zing! Embossing Powder - White Opaque	Copic Markers

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Freshly Made Sketches: PEACE

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Jennifer Brum.

I had come across this unused "peace" die in my stash - it's a set by Tim Holtz - and since I'm focused on Distress Oxide, it seemed like a match!!  Plus I liked the idea of a strip with the sentiment.


This is my third day of the results of my play time with Distress Oxide ink.  I'm still loving it!  It was so easy to get this smooth background. So far, everything that I've shown has been using a blender tool to apply these smooth creamy colors even though there are dozens of other techniques.  I did play around with some other techniques that give it more of that "oxide" look and I look forward to doing more with it.  Truth be told - this next picture would have been my card today had there not been an unfortunate accident involving a cat and a glass of red wine!!


This type of background requires letting go of some control which is very definitely not my strong point; however, I've heard that Tim Holtz has said if you don't like the piece, you're not done.  The joy of these oxide inks is that they just keep building.  This makes them a unique mix of letting-go with the ability to fix and adjust!!  LOVE it! I hope to see you playing along this week!
SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Stampin' Up Woodgrain
Dies: Sizzix Tim Holtz Holiday Words: Block, Simon Says Stamp Eliza Snowflake
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Midnight Muse
Ink: Distress Oxides in Broken China, Faded Jeans and Cracked Pistachio, Stampin' Up Midnight Muse
Other: The background is spritzed with plain water and with Imagine Crafts Sheer Sparkle Shimmer Spritz. The snowflake also has the shimmer.  Doodlebug White Glitter Sprinkles.

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge: Hibiscus

It's time for a new challenge at the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge: Hibiscus.

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This is the second card this week done with my new oxide inks!!  (And there's one more tomorrow - I had lots of time to play last weekend!!)



I did some simple stripes of various colors using the mini blender tool.  From top to bottom I used Spiced Marmalade, Worn Lipstick, Abandoned Coral, Candied Apple - these are every color in my collection that matches the hibiscus in the inspiration photo.

The oxide inks blend so smoothly.  I am truly in love.  As I mentioned yesterday, it's been quite awhile since I went all in with a new product - but these oxide inks are totally worth it.  And guess what?  Although I don't currently have them all, but the mailman will soon be bringing the rest to me!

I hope to see you playing along with this fabulous inspiration from Curtain Call.

SUPPLY LIST

These are all links to the Taylored Expressions store.  TE also carries Oxide Inks!!

Tropical Blooms Cutting Plate	Noteworthy	Tag Stacklets 1	TE Premium Cardstock - Toffee
TE Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube	VersaMark - Watermark Stamp Pad	Zing! Embossing Powder - White Opaque

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Snowflakes with Distress Oxide

It's been a long time since I've gone crazy over a new product. I used to get every new tool and product with the fantasy that the product/tool alone would magically improve my skills.  (You should see my stash of products for watercoloring!)  Of course it's never magic.

Somewhere along the way as life got busier and forced a change in my crafting, I finally decided to embrace what I enjoy.  I love simple images, colored with Copics - and I LOVE using dies.   Those things don't take new tools or products (which leaves room in the budget for new dies so maybe I need to work on that addiction next.)

But lately I've been paying close attention to Distress Oxide Inks and videos from all my favorite crafters.  I finally decided they just might be magic and ordered a few.  Guess what?  They are magic. They are beautiful just blended into each other.  It's seamless with a beautiful finish.  They do fun things with water.  You can also get complex by building colors and using water to create the "oxide" look.  

After that build up - what I am showing you today really doesn't demonstrate the magic.  I really liked parts of one of the backgrounds I created - so I decided to cut some snowflakes.  You can see how seamless the colors blend - and there's a hint of water action.  Mostly I just LOVE the colors!

I specifically picked these Reverse Confetti snowflakes because they are a bit chunky so more of the color would remain.  That sent me to a Reverse Confetti sentiment.  Finally, I found some fun sequins in the same color scheme.  Quick and easy and I totally and completely enjoyed my new product!!
SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Reverse Confetti Winter Words Coordinates Dies: Reverse Confetti Winter Words, Let It Snow Paper: Taylored Expressions Toffee, Stampin' Up Coastal Cabana Ink: Distress Oxide Faded Jeans, Broken China, Cracked Pistachio Sequins by 28 Lilac Lane (I can't find a color name on the package)

Freshly Made Sketches: Celebrate 300!

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and it's a big week.  We are on sketch #300! Wow!! 300!!!  Thank you to everybody for playing along.  So many of you never miss a week.  Such an amazing group of cardmakers.  I am so honored to be part of this entire group.

The fabulous Lesley Croghan started this challenge six years ago.  She has a talent for founding challenge blogs and has started many of the best over the years. We are all so lucky we have her talent in our midst!!  The first sketch was on September 7, 2011.   (I played along!) You should look back - you'll see some of the same design team members!   I was proud to be asked to be on the design team starting in September 2014 - it's been fun every week since then!

For something special to celebrate our 300th, one lucky winner from the gallery will receive all the cards created by the design team!  The idea of Freshly Made Sketches is that the cards aren't necessarily simple, but they are clean.  I did a lot of stamping and die-cutting on this one hoping to make it extra special - I hope you like it!!


I used Fresh Florals from Taylored Expressions to build my bouquet.  The set comes with lots of fun sentiments - but not a "celebrate" which is what I wanted for this challenge so I found that in a cupcake set!  Lately, I've been a huge fan of brick in my background (I fixate - not that long ago I used woodgrain on absolutely everything and before that it was polka dots!!)  I used a brick embossing folder on which I had rubbed white ink to give it a little more detail.

It's a big week!  I hope to see you playing along!

SUPPLY LIST

Fresh Florals	Fresh Florals Dies	Simply Stamped - Cupcakes	Stitched Oval Stacklets
Embossing Folder - Brick	TE Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube	TE Premium Cardstock - Earl Grey	TE Premium Cardstock - Watermelon
TE Premium White Pigment Ink - Sugar Cube - Full Pad	TE Premium Ink - Poppy Seed - Full Pad	TE Premium Ink - Cherry Pop - Full Pad	TE Premium Ink - Candy Corn - Full Pad
TE Premium Ink - Plum Punch - Full Pad	TE Premium Ink - Peapod - Full Pad	TE Premium Ink - Salt Water Taffy - Full Pad

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TE Release Day: Pumpkins and Sliding Owls

It's release day at Taylored Expressions! Everything you have seen this week is now available. I'm not going to chat much because there's shopping to do - but I do have two more peeks at this release.

There's a new addition to the Peek-a-Boo line of stamps - Peek-a-Boo Halloween.  I took one look at the witchy and decided he needed to fly/slide across the sky using the On the Right Track slider dies from the last release.

Here he is on the branch.

And he starts his trip on the moon before tumbling down to the branch!

This stamp set also includes two other spooky cute little animals and a number of perfect Halloween sayings.  It's all absolutely charming!

Here's my supply list but be sure to keep reading for one more card!

SUPPLY LIST

Peek-a-Boo Halloween	Peek-a-Boo Halloween Dies	On the Right Track - Build a Scene	On a Limb - Branches
Stitched Circle Stacklets	Stitched Rectangle Stacklets	Stitched Banner Stacklets	TE 6x6 Paper Pack - Playful Patterns - Haunted
TE Premium Cardstock - Oreo	TE Premium Cardstock - Earl Grey	TE Premium Cardstock - Plum Punch	TE Premium Cardstock - Lemon Meringue
Woodgrain Textured Cardstock Pack	TE Premium Ink - Oreo - Full Pad	TE Premium White Pigment Ink - Sugar Cube - Full Pad	Zing! Embossing Powder - White Opaque
Lemon Meringue Enamel Shapes

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I'm going to change directions a bit and go with a Thanksgiving card - although if you take a peek at this set there are also Halloween options.  It's a new addition to the Simply Stamped layered stamping series - Simply Stamped - Pumpkins.

I love the dimension you get with layered stamps!!

Here's a closer peek.

I watched a video from Taylored Expressions on using the Misti for layered stamping.  (Check out the Taylored Expressions Facebook page, Videos, May 8th on Misti.)  I actually didn't own a Misti until I saw this video and how amazing it is for layered stamps.  I got mine at the same time I got the Simply Stamped - Pumpkins and immediately started playing.  I set it up for stamping multiple times and started playing with colors.  I knew I wanted Candy Corn as the base.  I stamped it off once for the first layer and then full strength for the second.  (The only tricky part about it was that once you have the stamps on the Misti you don't want to remove them.  So to stamp off once, I inked the base layer, I took an acrylic block, stuck a post-it on it and used it to "stamp" on the base layer (like upside down stamping!) to stamp it off once.)  I didn't know which top layer to use so here are some of my experiments.

The pair on the upper left with stems use Dijon.  Then clockwise from there are Earl Grey, Sugar, Cube, Peapod and Pumpkin.  I like them all for different effects, but I wanted an elegant Thanksgiving card so I stuck with the Dijon.

This is just a quick post because it's time to head over to the TE Blog for links to all of the designers and to find out if you won a prize if' you've been answering the Question of the Day. Then head to the TE Store because it's full of new products!

SUPPLY LIST

Simply Stamped - Pumpkins	Simply Stamped - Pumpkins Dies	Quilted Cutting Plate	Stitched Rectangle Stacklets
TE 6x6 Paper Pack - Playful Patterns - Harvest	TE Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube	TE Premium Cardstock - Dijon	TE Premium Cardstock - Peapod
TE Premium Ink - Dijon - Full Pad	TE Premium Ink - Candy Corn - Full Pad	TE Premium Ink - Poppy Seed - Full Pad	TE Sequins - Snow Flurries

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