The Rainbow Card Challenge: Blessings

Every month I swear I'm going to play along with The Rainbow Challenge but time flies and I seem to realize belatedly that the month is gone.  But how could I not play along with their metallic challenge during the Christmas seasons - and I'm squeaking this one in on the closing day of the challenge.


If you have any doubt that this is metallic - here it is with a direct light on it.

In real life, it's in the middle of these pictures.  It's definitely not an in-your-face, glowing blue like the second picture but it has a lot more shine than the first.  It's a wonderful, rich royal blue - I wish I were a talented enough photographer to show it off!

SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Simon Says Stamp Holy Stars, Christmas Blessings, Reverse Confetti Stitched Rays Cover Panel, Simon Says Stamp Frames
Paper: Wausau Paper Creative Collection Metallic Cardstock
Other: Sparkletz Crystal Stars

The Paper Players: Christmas Pinecone

The sketch at The Paper Players caught my eye because I've had this long "Christmas" die in my not-yet-used stash and I liked how the sketch would showcase it.


The rest of the card was driven by the paper.  The die is very dainty so I wanted to keep the paper fairly subtle.  I love this older paper pack because although it's subtle, there is a lot of beautiful detail.  I replicated elements of that detail in a variety of dies.  That's my very favorite thing to do - little groupings of dies!!
Here's the sketch that put it all together for me.

SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Dee's Distinctively Pinecone, Impression Obsession Pine Sprigs, Memory Box Floral Sprigs, Alexandra Renke Christmas,
Patterned Paper: Simple Stories Winter Wonderland

Freshly Made Sketches: Peace

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

Cécile's sketches are always so wonderfully creative! Given I don't claim to be creative (I can buy good products and follow sketches and I work hard at it!), sometimes her sketches are a challenge for me. Of course, that's the point. But in this case, I saw it and I knew what to do!


This is Stampin' Up's Christmas Layers die from the holiday catalog.  I bought the set to use for an accent behind other images, but in this case, I made them the focal point.  I'm not 100% certain what this particular die actually is - the other dies are obviously snowflakes and a branch with berries.  But I decided to call them poinsettias! I added a hint of sparkle on the big white piece (you might need to click through to FLICKR to see it better).  The word is Memory Box Peace Jotted Script which I loved with it because it gave me the same fine lines as the flowers.
It's a good thing the idea came to me quickly.  I sat down yesterday morning before work to write this post and realized I had made the card for next week's sketch.  About the same time I was realizing that I wouldn't be playing along this week, my office went on a 2-hour blizzard delay! So I had time to make this card!  Thank goodness for bad weather!
I hope to see you playing along this week!
SUPPLY LIST Dies: Stampin' Up Christmas Layers die, Memory Box Peace Jotted Script Cardstock: Stampin' Up Real Red Other: Little Things Diamond Opalescent gems, Imagine Sheer Shimmer Stix Dauber - Sparkle

Color Throwdown/CAS(E) this Sketch: Gnome

It's getting close enough to Christmas that I can't make Christmas cards just for fun any more.  OK - that didn't come out right.  It's all fun - but I have to have a recipient for each card that I make.  I didn't have a card for my oldest son.  I had made this gnome card for my youngest so I figured why not make another card with this quirky little guy.


I had lots of help with this card.  Color Throwdown gave me the colors and CAS(E) this Sketch gave me the layout!  (As I was writing this post and linking to CtS, I realized one of the design team used the gnome too!!  You'll have to check it out, she did some fabulous highlighting on her gnome's beard.)

I'm in pretty good shape for Christmas this year.  I'd rather be a bit further ahead, but I do have some fun new products on my desk that I'm excited to work with which is keeping me motivated.  The day after Thanksgiving, there will definitely be Christmas music playing and Christmas cards being created in my house!

SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Simon Says Stamp Gnome, Taylored Expressions Frame in Frame Cutting Plate, Lawn Fawn Mini Snowflakes
Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants Oh Deer!
Other: Simon Says Stamp Everything Winter Sentiment Strips

CAS Colours & Sketches: Happy Retirement

I recently purchased a "retirement" stamp set in preparation for a couple of retirements in my office...next year.  But a third person just surprised us with a retirement before Thanksgiving.  I have very mixed emotions about this.  She's 68 and has been looking forward to retirement for the three years that I've worked there.  (Her new bosses will be her grandchildren!)  My heart is happy for her.  However, I'm her backup and now I'm going into the busy Christmas season with my job and her job.  The rest of me is already stressed out.

Mixed emotions or not - I don't let any office occasion go by without a card!


For this lady, I needed clean and simple - she's a no-frills person.  And while I wanted it to be feminine, I didn't want pastel.  So I was thrilled with the colors at CAS Colours & Challenges.  I pulled out my old Stampin' Up patterned paper and put them behind a new-to-me trio of flowers.  I think it's just right for her!!

(And I really am thrilled for her.)

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Waffle Flower Happy Retirement
Dies: Waffle Flower Happy Retirement dies, Memory Box Stitched Tulips, Mama Elephant Femme Frames
Paper: Stampin' Up Pear Pizzazz and Rich Razzleberry cardstock, the older Rich Razzleberry and Blushing Bride designer series paper
Other: Honey Bee Stamps Black Gem Stickers

Freshly Made Sketches: Let's Get Stuffed

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

I just had one more Thanksgiving card to go - for my 24-year old son who has been very indecisive as to whether he was coming home for the holiday.  In fairness to him, last year he and I ended up at Waffle House so I understand his hesitance!!  The other two guys were working and I really thought more restaurants would be open.  (We did have a nice meal on Saturday so all wasn't lost.)  He finally announced he'd be here - so I thought I'd send him an early card to let him know there would be a full Thanksgiving feast this year!!

I adore this turkey and there's much more in the set than you see here.  There's a squirrel, a pumpkin, an acorn, leaves, a mushroom - all with the same fun look as this turkey.  The sentiment is from a long-gone company (but designed by the fabulous Kim Hughes).

I hope to see you playing along with us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Lil' Inker Designs Eat Pie, Cornish Heritage Farms Let's Get Stuffed
Dies: Lil' Inker Designs Eat Pie dies and Cover Up Die: Stitched Woodgrain

CAS(E) this Sketch: Big Wish

My brother's birthday is this week.  I wanted to use the same mountains that I used here.  In that post I described my son's climb up a 14,000 foot mountain.  His hiking partner was my brother.  He's a younger brother, but neither of us are actually . . . young. And my poor brother has had knee and back problems.  There was a long recovery period afterwards - I'm not sure my 19-year old son grasps how hard that was for my brother.

So for my brother's birthday, I wanted to commemorate that hike with this fabulous mountain die set!


I love this die set but have found it somewhat difficult to come up with a layout because it is so big.  But this card was meant to be after I saw the sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch.

The sketch left me all that wide open space for my mountains!  I followed the sketch right down to the sentiment being to the right at the bottom. I adore sketches!!  I kept it masculine but added some fun with the patterns and the border.  It's not a work of art - but it's one of those cards that is just right for who it is intended for!!
SUPPLY LIST Stamps: Reverse Confetti Birthday Wishes, WPlus9 Encouraging Words (the birds - retired) Dies: Sizzix Tim Holtz Alpine 

Freshly Made Sketches: Welcome Gnome

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

I didn't know exactly what I was going to make when I put this sketch together but I imagined a winter scene with a sentiment strip backed by a snowflake.  Then I was browsing my stash and a brand new light bulb went on.  The first time that my youngest son is going to be home from college is Christmas.When I saw this gnome from Simon Says Stamp - and their pre-printed sentiments that matched - I knew I had the perfect card idea for him!


It's just quirky enough - but not cutesy - for my 19-year old son, plus the sentiment says it all!  And if you'll notice, there's no bling at all.  (I can have three sequins on a card and one of my sons or my husband will glance at it, roll their eyes, and say "too much bling".)  I'll probably still get an eye roll, but I'll get a hug too and that's what I am most looking forward to.

The first person that I saw use this gnome was Laura Bassen and I loved the jaunty little bow she used, so I had to do the same with my gnome.  I found some older patterned paper that was perfect - if you'll look really closely at the pattern in the hat, it has hearts!!  It was a quick and easy card - even the sentiment is pre-printed - but it's one of those cards that feels just right!!

I hope to see you playing along with us this week!

SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Simon Says Stamp Gnome, Lawn Fawn Stitched Snowflakes, Lil' Inkers Designs Hearts
Patterned Paper: Lawn Fawn Peace Joy Love 6x6 pad
Other: Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Strips Everything Winter

Freshly Made Sketches: Peace Love Joy

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

I had a very busy weekend - it was over in a blink of an eye. The work week started and I still hadn't  made a card for this week.  It had to be quick and easy. I went to my die stash and found something square. Then I grabbed Christmas paper. It still looked a little dull so I added a quick poinsettia. I finished this card while enjoying my morning cup of coffee before I got ready and ran off to work. And that is what I truly love about sketches - with the sketch as a starting point, it all came together in about 30 minutes!


The down-side of squeezing this out before a work day (especially with this past weekend's time change) is that I don't get home in time to take pictures while the sun is out so this isn't the world's best photo.  I'm not sure why the die cut doesn't look white - because it is as pure white as the base.  On the other hand, I did manage to capture the detail on the poinsettia and if you look really closely you can see that the background is textured!!
I hope to see you playing along with us this week!
SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Die-Versions Peace Love Joy, Flora & Fauna Poinsettia Flower
Patterned Paper: Simple Stories Cozy Christmas
Other: Echo Park Glitter Dots, Stampin' Up Subtle Embossing Folder