Freshly Made Sketches: A Butterfly Hello

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Jen Mitchell and here’s what I did with it!

I love the texture of that background die so that was an obvious choice for me.  Then I saw that label die in the set - the hint of stitching and the scalloped edges are so sweet.  Of course, right now it's all about cheerful cards so I added a brightly colored butterfly.

Here's my inspiration...

Can you believe I took that splatter and still made the card fairly regular and clean?  I really struggle with splatter - even with stamps!  I do have multiple stamp sets to give me that look but it didn't even cross my mind to use them. I should have - it's supposed to be a challenge!!  But I was still inspired by the sketch and I do have a general shape in the background and that's what it really is all about.  Be inspired - and have fun!!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Stampin' Up Butterfly Gala, Honey Bee ("hello")
Dies and Punches: Stampin' Up Stitched Labels Framelits and Butterfly Duet Punch
Ink: Copics Y35 and Y38 to match Mango Melody, YR04 and YR16 for the richer orange
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Mango Melody

Tic Tac Toe: Mother's Day

The current Tic Tac Toe Challenge inspired me to create this Mother's Day card.


Even though this card is still quite clean, my MIL is not a clean and simple person.  I often worry that she might think my clean and simple cards might seem like I haven't put enough work into them.  So when I noticed that the Tic Tac Toe Challenge included "designer paper" which I don't often use, I looked in each direction and realized the middle column worked for me!

The "layers" part of the challenge inspired me to add the second strip of patterned paper and the pattern on top of the orange flower. That's a lot of layers and patterns for me!!  The paper is an older set from Stampin' Up called Flowerpot. I love the mix of colors.  I found an older die set from Simon Says that had the same general look as the paper. And finally an old sentiment from Verve.  There's nothing new on this card!
Thank you to the Tic Tac Toe Challenge for the inspiration!
SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Verve Because of You
Dies: Simon Says Forget Me Not Flowers
Paper: Stampin' Up Flowerpot and the old Pumpkin Pie dsp, Stampin' Up cardstock in Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green, Mint Macaron
Ink: Stampin' Up Night of Navy

Freshly Made Sketches: Just Because

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Jennifer Timko and here’s what I did with it!

It's all about the cheerful cards right now.  So many people need a surprise in their mailbox because there isn't much else going on!  I had this rainbow from The Stamp Market (plus all the larger pieces that come with it) on my wishlist for quite some time.  Rainbows are so hopeful and cheerful.  When I realized that The Stamp Market was still shipping, I gave myself some happy mail!!

I found a border in my stash from The Cat's Pajamas.  It's a fun border, but it gave me some headaches.  Adhering fine die cuts is always a problem even though I've tried every recommendation out there.  On my first attempt I actually got it adhered well, then managed to stamp the sentiment way too far to the right.  So I cut another border - and I got it on crooked.  I can't even tell you what happened with numbers 3 and 4.  So I went back to the first card and fussy cut around the edges of the border so I got the outline die cut and the background.  This made it exponentially easier to adhere on my fifth and final attempt.  Can you tell I have a lot of time on my hands?!  (So much time in fact, that I'm rearranging my craft room - it's getting in the way of making cards, but I'm already not feeling like there's so much stuff the walls are closing in on me!)

Here's the sketch.  I hope to see you playing along with us this week!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Verve Stamps With Love
Dies: The Cat's Pajamas Cloud Border, The Stamp Market Rainbow Stripes

Freshly Made Sketches: Hello

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Lee Ann and here’s what I did with it!

I don't usually send many "hello" cards. It seems like most of my crafting time is filled up with birthday and holiday cards. But this is the perfect time to be creating "hello" or "hugs" or any encouraging card for those who are going a bit stir-crazy. I had this long die (I didn't even try to use the coordinating stamp!) I thought it would be a great wire for this charming little bird. For pops of color, I added some greenery and a sun, then gave it some texture with the clouds.

I had so much fun making this!!  I'm surprised at myself for not popping out more cards right now.  I am blessed to still be employed but obviously there's little else going on in life. I spent yesterday evening watching my 20-year old son learn to juggle.  OK, that was actually fun.  But I've spent many, many other evenings with the TV and an iPad.  It seems like as life slowed down so did my motivation. Of course, I do have a stash of cards but after I send this week's cards of hugs and encouragement to my friends and my family, my stash is starting to dwindle. 

Hopefully you are doing a better job of filling your time with this craft! Be sure to join us this week at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST
Dies: My Favorite Things Birds of a Feather, Sunshine; Papertrey Ink Swoosh
Paper: Doodlebug Design Inc Gingham-Linen Rainbow Petite Prints (blue), Echo Park Magical Adventure Dots & Stripes (yellow), Taylored Expressions Cardstock: Pineapple,
Other: Taylored Expressions Pineapple and Candy Corn, Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores, My Favorite Things Limelight

Easter Wishes for Power & Peace

May your Easter

be filled with the

power & peace

that comes from

His resurrection.

- this sentiment from Taylored Expressions

The Inside Scoop - Easter Blessings

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Ink to Paper Just Sentiments: Easter (on the front of the card)
Dies: Poppystamps Floribunda Collage, Taylored Expressions Little Bits - Butterflies
Paper: Avery Elle The Spring Collection (the paper behind the flowers)

Freshly Made Sketches: Coffee O'Clock

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Jacquie and here’s what I did with it!

Inside sentiment: "bean thinking about you a latte"!

And here's the sketch.

I was putting away another die, when this die set caught my attention and I realized the sizes would mimic the diamond shape on the sketch.  Plus, in a recent order from Impress Rubber Stamps, I had tucked in a tiny little coffee sentiment set.  I picked warm colors along with some coffee-colored brown. Then I added some sparkly splatter in the background which on the photo just looks like spots but in the right light there is some nice shine.

I'm not exactly sure where this card is going because I have surprisingly few coffee-drinking friends.  Lots of tea lovers, but not coffee. I realized that after I was done - because about the only people who might appreciate it are my boys.  But my boys do NOT appreciate sequins or sparkle!  Not only that but one of my boys is unhappily at home from his freshman year in college and is seriously underfoot, and my other boy is sheltering in his college apartment and is not even going to the mailbox. Oh well, it was a fun card to make!

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

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Impress Cards Coffee Word Mini
Dies: The Cat's Pajamas Cups, My Creative Time Stitched Decorative Banners, My Favorite Things Oval Shadows
Other: Pretty Pink Posh Nature Sequins, Fun Stampers Journey Sparkle Silk (the splatter)

Freshly Made Sketches: Beloved Friend

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Judy and here’s what I did with it!

In the midst of everything going on right now, a sweet lady at work lost her dog. It was a long illness, so not unexpected but that doesn't make it any easier. She's working from home right now so feels the loss of her companion all day long.

Here's the sketch. I hope to see you playing along. Making cards is a fabulous escape from our current lives, plus it's a much-needed bright spot in someone's day when they go to the mailbox to see that you thought of them!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Taylored Expressions Care & Comfort - Pets
Dies: Simon Says Stamp Paws, Stampin' Up Layering Circles Framelits, Sweet 'n Sassy Hearts, Lil' Inkers Stitched Squares
Paper: Stampin' Up Smoky Slate, Honey Bee Stamps Sweet on You (the coral patterns), Sunny Studio Classic Gingham
Ink: Stampin' Up Smoky Slate
Other: Stampin' Up Glitter and Clear Epoxy Shapes (the tears)