Freshly Made Sketches: Celebrate 400!!!

It's the last week of our month-long celebration of our 400th sketch!  But before we get to the actual sketch, I have to tell you about the amazing crafting companies that we all get to work with.  We reached out to see who would want to celebrate along with us and look who joined in!

At the end of the week, we will randomly be selecting the winners of these prizes.  All details are on the Freshly Made Sketches blog.  Thank you so very much to all of our sponsors.

Here is our 400th sketch.

Last week, I used a die from Floral Squares dies from Pinkfresh Studios and before I put them away, it dawned on my that the set would be perfect this week too!  Here's another of the flowers, with a cheerful background I created with Distress Oxide ink.

I cut the strips a little bit bigger than is shown because I wanted to trim off the darker edges you get when you blend on and off the edge of the cardstock.  I sponged heavier in the middle and faded out.  Finally I sprinkled on some white for texture.

I found a long, skinny sentiment so that it was long enough to match the sketch and used the very narrow sentiment dies from Neat & Tangled.  It was all so very simple - and I love the result!!
Definitely be sure to play along this week - so many amazing prizes!!  I look forward to seeing everything in the gallery; I get so much inspiration by seeing what everybody else does with the same sketch!
SUPPLY LIST Stamps: Papertrey Ink The Skinny Dies: Pinkfresh Studios Floral Squares, Neat & Tangled Skinny Strips dies Ink: Distress Oxides in Picked Raspberry, Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Twisted Citron, Tumbled Glass

Freshly Made Sketches: Week 3 of the 400th!

This is the third week of the Freshly Made Sketches 400th sketch celebration!!!  So far we've re-visited sketch #1/100, 200 and today we are going back to sketch #300.  (Next week will be sketch #400 - be very, VERY sure to check it out!)

As is often the case with my cardmaking - this card took a few left turns.  It started out with a wreath, two heavily patterned Christmas papers and the word "joy" - here's where it ended up!!  I guess I was just feeling more fresh and cheerful than Christmasy because this was truly less than a 10-minute card and I'm happy with it.


There's nothing particularly special about it.  I adore that die.  It comes in a set of six from Pinkfresh Studios - they are so light and fresh and unique that they add interest on any card.  I pulled out an old pack of paper that I like.  Then I got absolutely giddy when I saw this sequin butterfly was a perfect match.  This card practically made it itself.
Here's my first #300 - details on this post.  I actually still like this (maybe even a bit more than today's card!).  I usually try very hard not to look back  - but I feel like this one might have stood the test of time (all two years of time!!!) since it was first published.

SUPPLY LIST (for the original card)
Stamps: Simon Says Stamp Messages for Everyday
Dies: Pinkfresh Studios Floral Squares
Paper: BoBunny Baby Bump 6x6 pad
Other: Ellen Hutson Butterfly Mix Sequins

Freshly Made Sketches: So Brave

This is week #2 of our big anniversary celebration (with more to follow!)  Last week we revisited sketch #1 which was also sketch #100.  This week, we are revisiting sketch #200 which first appeared here in August of 2015.

 I kept it simple.  I wanted the full focus on the message and the beautiful flower.


Luckily, I don't have a need for this card right now but these Pinkfresh Studios sentiments just spoke to me.  The set is gorgeous with a variety of sentiments that coordinate or work alone.  The single stem from their Dainty Blossoms die set seemed like the perfect accent.


I had a lot of ideas in my head for this sketch, then I saw the current challenge at The Paper Players and immediately envisioned my card.  Thanks for the inspiration!!

Last week I showed you my entry for the first ever sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.  By the 200th sketch I was actually on the design team!!  Here's the card I came up with for this same sketch (click here for details).

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Pinkfresh Studios My Favorite Things to Say
Dies: Pinkfresh Studios Dainty Blossoms, My Favorite Things Blueprints 10
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Flirty Flamingo
Other: Doodlebug Beetle Black Glitter

Taylored Expressions Release Day: Sweet Bears and Spooktacular Sentiments

It's release day the August release from Taylored Expressions!  I'm not going to chat much today because it's time to shop but I do have a few more peeks to show you.  Be sure to check out each of the create team members' blogs for all of the sneak peeks - starting with the Taylored Expressions blog.

The new Simply Smitten set has the most charming bear ever along with with a variety of products to set the scene for him.  I've used the stamps with an autumn focus but there are other sentiments and stamps that can work for all seasons!


I used Blender Brushes to create his background.  I use Post-It tape where I want the split and brush on blue above it.  Then I move the tape up and brush the green below.  It's so subtle for clean and simple cards but it gives him a place to stand.


Here's a supply list for this card.  Keep reading because I have one more set of sentiment strips to show you!!

SUPPLY LIST'
Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.


As much as we have all loved the sentiment strips - there are even more.  Earlier this week, I showed you Simple Strips - Friendship and Mini Strips - Harvest.  We also have Mini Strips - Halloween!!


Look at all the extra sentiments I have for more cards!!  I love that I only have to stamp, heat emboss and cut a few times and I have all the sentiments I need!

I paired my sentiments with the previously released ghosts from Be Somebody Stamp & Die Combo for this chat between the two little ghosts.  I made the background just a bit "spookier" by brushing the edges and adding some splatters of Oreo Liquid Watercolor.

Have fun shopping!  It's all available at the TE store.

SUPPLY LIST
Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek 3: Zombies, Spiders and Cats

It's day 3 of sneak peeks for the August release from Taylored Expressions.  Today is all about Halloween!  Everything you see today will be available on Thursday, August 8th. Be sure to check out each of the create team members' blogs for all of the sneak peeks - starting with the Taylored Expressions blog.

There are so many fun new Halloween products. To set the scene on this card, I used a great new web border with a few spiders from Flip the Web. The sentiment is also from that set.  (The set also has a giant corner web and two other sentiments). I brushed on a bit of Plum Punch and some sprinkles of Oreo Liquid Watercolors for the spooky sky.  It's the perfect setting for this charming little zombie from a set appropriately called Zombies with his two zombie cats.


You might ask why two cats?  Because this card is intended for my son on his first year far away at college and those two cats are colored to match the family cats (which of course implies that he's the zombie, but oh well!).


The set also has a great female zombie so you can make it match your own family!!

Here's a supply list for this card.  Keep reading because I have another sneak peek and a chance to win prizes!

SUPPLY LIST'
Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.



Taylored Expressions is celebrating Release Week with a giveaway during each day of sneak peeks! Visit the TE blog to answer Taylor's Question of the Day for a chance to win one of the latest products before you can buy it!

I'm very excited to say we have a new Gatefold Reveal die - it's Gatefold Reveal 2.  It has a bigger window that the first one so you can add full images!  I used the cat from the brand new Sweet & Spooky set.  Here's the inside of the card with the image fully revealed.  (The sentiment is from the older Boo to You set.)


With all the fun on the inside, I wanted to step up the outside.  I'm a very simple crafter so I was thrilled when I figured out that the previously released Haunted Cutting Plate splits down the middle almost perfectly to easily decorate the two sides of the gatefold!!  I cut the bottom section in half - then snipped the top border leaving just a few branches to spread across the card.


I gave those branches a little strength by tucking in a Double-ended Flag banner (with one of the ends cut off) using White Fine Detail embossing powder to add a sentiment from the new Handlettered Halloween.

I love that this card came together quickly and easily with all of the fabulous dies - yet is so fun and interactive.

That's it for today.  Tomorrow I have one more Halloween card and a charming little bear that you can use for Thanksgiving or all year long.  AND most importantly - everything you have seen this week will be available in the store!  Be sure to head over to the TE blog for more sneak peeks and to get in on the question of the day contest.

SUPPLY LIST
Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.

Freshly Made Sketches: A Milestone

This is a big week for Freshly Made Sketches - in fact so big, we'll be celebrating for the entire month.  We just passed 399 challenges which kind of makes this 400 but we're doing something a little different to celebrate.  Our first challenge opened way back on September 7th, 2011.  Isn't that amazing?!  You should check it out - you'll see some familiar names!  A big thank you to all of our players.  Some of you play along week after week; some pop in when you need inspiration.  But you are always here and keep this challenge vibrant.

To celebrate the 400th sketch, we are going back to #1 (which was also #100) and using the same sketch.  Over the month, we'll revisit some of the other milestone sketches with a lot of other fun events mixed in.  Here is #1.

You can see that the sketches have always been fun and unique - yet still so fresh and clean!!  Here's my  take on it.


As I was making this card, I didn't have any special needs to point me in a direction.  I flipped through my dies and saw my very-favorite bird set.  It made sense to use my very favorite bird on this special day for my very favorite challenge!!  I sat him on some stitched lines as wire - then added some clouds and a rainbow-colored pattern.  It seemed like such a cheerful card, it made sense to add a get well sentiment!


I did not join the design team until September of 2014 but I did play along with that first challenge - details here.  And I'm very proud to say I was a "Perfect Princess" for the week!  It was fun to see that Jen Timko was a perfect princess that week too!  Here's what I did on this sketch the first time around - 400 sketches ago.

I hope to see you playing along this week.  It's a big one!!  And it's so much fun to browse the gallery - I think I'll even head back to the first time on this sketch and see how things have changed.

SUPPLY LIST (for the new card!)

Stamps: Simon Says Stamps Messages for Everyday

Dies: My Favorite Things Birds of a Feather, Stitched Strip

Cardstock/Paper: Taylored Expressions Confetti Cake, Candy Corn, Pineapple and Hello Sunshine Paper Pack

Other: Taylored Expressions Cloudy Days

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek 2: More Strips!

It's day 2 of sneak peeks for the August release from Taylored Expressions.  Today we are showcasing Thanksgiving and we are focusing on friendship. Everything you see today will be available on Thursday, August 8th. Be sure to check out each of the create team members' blogs for all of the sneak peeks - starting with the Taylored Expressions blog.

I'm very excited to tell you that we are adding to the Simple Strips series with the introduction of Mini Strips - Harvest along with a new Mini Strips die!!


I adore these sentiments!  I went very classic with this card using the previously released Simply Stamped - Leaves and creating a trio of richly colored leaves.  I carried the leaves into the background using an embossing folder.  Some watercolor sprinkles for texture and a few metallic sequins complete the look.


Guess what? The same mini strips set has funny sentiments too.  After I had embossed and cut the full set - I wasn't going to let them go to waste!  Gobble til you Wobble and Got Stretchy Pants led me directly to the chubby little squirrel from the previously released Fluffy Friends.


I surrounded this little guy with a variety of dies to create a big Thanksgiving meal.  I love creating detailed little scenes - and these all came together perfectly for this funny scene.  Just for fun - I used the Bead Board Embossing Folder at an angle


Here's a supply list for this card.  Keep reading because I have another sneak peek and a chance to win prizes!

SUPPLY LIST'
Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.

Gather Together


Gobble 'til You Wobble


Taylored Expressions is celebrating Release Week with a giveaway during each day of sneak peeks! Visit the TE blog to answer Taylor's Question of the Day for a chance to win one of the latest products before you can buy it!

Now for even more Simple Strips!  There's a Friendship set!


When I saw the "smiles" sentiment, I just had to bring out the previously released Build an Emoji.  I had so much fun building these three cute little faces!


There are so many different sentiments in this set - funny, serious, encouraging, thankful and more.  It's a must-have because it can add the finishing touch to so many different cards.

Tomorrow is Halloween!!  At least at Taylored Expressions! So be sure to check back!

SUPPLY LIST
Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek 1: Handlettered

It's day 1 of sneak peeks for the August release from Taylored Expressions.  It's the start of my favorite crafting season - autumn!!  We have so much to show you this week for Halloween and Thanksgiving - but there are also additions to some of your favorite lines of stamps and dies.  We're starting with those today.  Everything you see today will be available on Thursday, August 8th. Be sure to check out each of the create team members' blogs for all of the sneak peeks - starting with the Taylored Expressions blog.

Already in the Handlettered series of stamps we have 4th of July, Baby, Easter and Holiday, and today we are adding the perfect basic set simply called Handlettered Sentiments which includes all those sentiments you need for everyday occasions.  We also have an addition in this release to the Layer It series of dies with Layer It - Rustic Florals.  Here's how I put the two of them together.


I kept the flowers very subtle by simply sponging the top layer with Versamark. It keeps it the same color but just slightly darker.  Then I brushed soft blue on the background and added some white sprinkles to keep the soft look.  Handlettered Sentiments has coordinating dies so I could die cut my sentiment and have it really pop.


I love these sentiments.  It's a beautiful font and can take center stage on the card.  Keep scrolling to see a second card using another of the sentiments.

SUPPLY LIST'
Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.


Taylored Expressions is celebrating Release Week with a giveaway during each day of sneak peeks! Visit the TE blog to answer Taylor's Question of the Day for a chance to win one of the latest products before you can buy it!

I also used Handlettered Sentiments on this card but with a totally different look.  I changed the colors - then I added just a bit of the new Shiplap Background to give it a more rustic look.


I plopped on some butterflies in bright colors that really pop on the Toffee. Three of them fluttering around that beautiful sentiment with a bit of shiplap in the background - that's all you need!!


Be sure to come back tomorrow - I have two Thanksgiving cards and another general card full of smiles!  And there are also additions to a very popular series...hint...hint!!

SUPPLY LIST
Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.