Freshly Made Sketches: Hello Butterflies

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

 

I didn't have anything specific in mind so I flipped through my not-yet-used stash and pulled out a number of dies with graceful curves that would fit the flower in the sketch.  I cut out a window then I went looking for paper and I found that I actually had a paper with butterflies (I tend toward subtle stripes or gingham, etc. Not that this is particularly bold but it's still a pattern and you'll not see many patterned papers on my cards!!)  Butterfly paper and a butterfly die - it worked!

I originally just backed the butterfly with plain cardstock but it seemed too bland for a beautiful butterfly.  (I'm also not a fan of this particular color, but it matched the dsp!!)  So I sponged on some matching ink toward the body and some white ink toward the tips.  Then I used Fun Stampers Journey silk in black and sparkle to splatter on some dots. 

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

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Avery Elle Simple Sentiments

Dies: Memory Box Drifting Side Butterfly, My Favorite Things Peek-a-Boo Window (square)

Paper: Stampin' Up Pretty Petals dsp (retired), Calypso Coral, Pacific Point

Other: Fun Stampers Journey Sparkle Silk and Black Licorice Silk

The Card Concept: Trust in the Lord

It's time for a new challenge at The Card Concept!  My Clean and Simple card was inspired by the beach theme and the soft and gentle colors of our Long Summer Days challenge.

I wouldn't say I'm a beach person - mostly because I am not a hot weather person.  But that's really based on a classic beach - hot weather, big umbrellas, sunscreen, etc.  I actually do adore calm and quiet beaches.  We had a couple of amazing family vacations on the beaches along the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We were there slightly before the summer season and the beaches were so incredibly peaceful. And it was just warm enough that we could wear swimsuits but not hot enough to be sweaty and sticky.  They were amazing vacations!!  And that peace is what I tried to capture in my card. 

I was planning to brush on ink for my background - and then I remembered I had a paper pad with the soft colors that I wanted and it even gave me some clouds! The peaceful look of the card pointed me in the direction of the sentiment.  Then the card needed just a bit more so I found some small shells and anchor in my die collection and grouped them in the corner. 

The Card Concept is taking a summer break so this is the last challenge until September 8th!!  That also means you have a LOT of time to create cards for our Long Summer Days challenge! I look forward to viewing the challenge gallery for all of your cards.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Reverse Confetti Walk by Faith

Dies: Taylored Expressions Sitting Pretty Nautical, My Favorite Things Peek-a-boo Window (rectangle)

Paper: Honey Bee Stamps Beach Vibes 6x6 pad

Other: Pretty Pink Posh Sea Glass gems

Freshly Made Sketches: Birthday Wishes

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and this one's from me!

 

I kept it very simple - just four panels.  I like to do sketches that challenge me to use patterned paper - but notice not a piece of patterned paper on my card!!  I really had planned to do at least a strip or two but after I settled on those detailed flowers, I just didn't want any more colorful detail in the background.  I settled on an embossing folder and a trellis die - they seem to accent the flower without detracting from the flower.

I don't use textured paper a lot and I'm not convinced that I did well with it.  It didn't occur to me until I had it together that the grain of each element went in different directions.  Maybe that's how it's supposed to be - after all it's a raggedy-looking die - but it sort of offends my clean and simple eye. But I can't even imagine accomplishing this card with the grain all in the same direction. I tend to cut my elements then I move them around again and again and again until I'm finally happy with the arrangement.  I'd almost have to recut all of the elements once I got the arrangement figured out and line up each die on the grain of the paper. Ugh.  And here I am obsessing and I'm guessing that virtually all of you are wondering what in the world I'm talking about. Luckily I actually like the process of creating a card even when I am obsessing!

I hope to see you playing along with us this week - I LOVE browsing the challenge gallery and seeing all the ways that you all got creative with the sketch.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Mama Elephant Blogging Buddies (sentiment)

Dies: Sizzix Brushstroke Flowers #2, Altenew Garden Trellis Cover Die

Cardstock: Various Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby) white core texture cardstock colors

Other: Stampin' Up Brick & Mortar Embossing Folder, Pretty Pink Posh Marigold gems

Poppystamps: Birthday Pets

 I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with this birthday card for an animal lover.

The Whittles are so charming.  LOVE this trio of pets with their sweet expressions.  I added little strips of white for their collars each with a sparkly gem.  I thought they worked perfectly with the Playful Happy Birthday. I backed it with a pretty washi tape and some patterned paper from Memory Box.  

There are many more pictures and details on the Poppystamps blog - check it out!!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Scottie, Whittle Dachshund, Whittle Cat, Playful Happy Birthday

Paper: Memory Box Garland Stripes and Dots

Other: Memory Box Cornelia Variegated 1" washi, Pastel Jewels and Bright Jewels

Freshly Made Sketches: Hummingbird Thanks

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

On the day that I was making my FMS card, we had plans to visit friends that evening whom we had really not spent any time with since the shutdown started. They have a beautiful lush backyard that is just a joy to relax in.  It's full of birdsong and also the hum of hummingbirds. I wanted to thank them for their hospitality and I had finally gotten this new set from Concord & 9th - so all of this came together perfectly with the sketch!!

Even with all of the colors I could have used with a card full of flowers and hummingbirds - I decided to go with only two colors and add interest with various patterns. I pulled out a stack of Doodlebug 6x6 paper pads, decided on the colors, then pulled out all of the patterns that I had.

The die set is fairly new from Concord & 9th.  I didn't get it in the first day or two after it was released then it went out of stock everywhere.  It took forever to get it back.  I ordered from an online store the moment it was back in stock but then it still took weeks to ship. It is a beautiful set. Each of those pieces have their own die and fit perfectly together so it's very easy to build.  Plus there's a second hummingbird with a different shape and looking the other way.  I'm going to love playing with the hummingbirds!

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

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Concord & 9th Birdie Banner (sentiment)

Dies: Concord & 9th Eclectic Garden

Paper: Various Doodlebug 6x6 pads

Other: Stampin' Up Genial Gems

Poppystamps: Summer Solstice

I'm on the Poppystamps blog today playing along with this month's Summer Solstice challenge. I started with the sentiment which seemed just perfect for the challenge!!

With the sentiment, of course I had to create a sunny, blue sky.  From there, I flipped through my dies and decided I liked the pop of pink if I used the flamingo.  I also created a beach with a textured paper and waves using glitter paper.  The scene wasn't very big so to make it pop, I framed it with Memory Box' Double Stitch Rectangle Cut Outs.

There are more pictures and more details on the Poppystamps blog - check it out!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Poppystamps Whittle Everyday

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Flamingo, Whittle Sunshine and Whittle Wave Background, Memory Box Double Stitch Rectangle Cut Out

Other:  Memory Box Fairy Drops, Delicate Pastel Glitter Pad and Woodgrain Paper Pack Kraft

The Card Concept: Fintastic Dad

There’s a new inspiration challenge at The Card Concept and the theme is Vacation Time.

My Clean and Layered card was inspired by the blanket or towel in the corner.  I'm pretty sure it's a blanket because my husband came into our marriage with one just like it!  I was also inspired by the general theme of fishing - my husband is an avid fly-fishermen. That's why I had to put that all together into a fin-tastic dad card.

Sadly, this will probably never be used.  I'll offer it to both of my sons for their use on Father's Day but they inherited their father's tendency toward off-the-wall, sort of snarky cards.  This is going to be too nice for either one of them to be interested in!  As I'm looking at it - I am wishing I hadn't actually adhered anything before I took the photo. I could easily change the "dad" to my husband's name because I would definitely use this!

Hope to see you playing along with our Vacation Time challenge this week at The Card Concept.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Poppystamps Whittle Sealife Sentiments

Dies: Memory Box Wooden Alpha, Poppystamps Whittle Fish Trio

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Shaded Spruce, Poppy Parade, Bumblebee, Nigh of Navy, Crumb Cake

Freshly Made Sketches: Storms and Rainbows

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

The idea of rain came to me pretty quickly but I wasn't 100% sure what to do after that.  I figured that out when I was flipping through my notebook of stamps in my stash and saw these older sentiments by Papertrey.  There were a number of them that I really liked and I was wishing I would have noticed them earlier when I was sending so many pandemic cards.  

I used Distress Oxides to blend the background.  I used a darker (yet still bright) blue at the top since it was supposed to be "stormy" then a lighter blue then a green. Then I picked four fresh and cheerful colors for the rainbow (the die set has larger ones too but I just used the smaller ones that fit on my background.) 

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

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Rainy Day Sentiments

Dies: The Stamp Market Rainbow Stripes

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Granny Apple Green, Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody, Daffodil Delight

Ink: Distress Oxide Peacock Feathers, Tumble Glass, Cracked Pistachio

Other: Studio Katia Raindrops

Poppystamps: Framed Forest Scene

 I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with this framed scene. Between my husband and my college-aged sons, I am regularly in need of masculine cards.  And with the difficulties of the past year, I regularly need "hugs" cards. To add to my stash, I created a little lake surrounded by evergreens with a cute little squirrel checking it out! 

I love how this card turned out - it will be in my stash when I need it. These little evergreens and the cute little squirrel is sure to bring a smile to the recipient.

There are many more pictures and details on the Poppystamps blog - be sure to check it out!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Wood Picture Frame, Evergreen Trio, Orchard Leaves, Busy Squirrel Trio, Playful Hugs

Paper: Memory Box Garden Folly 6x6 pad and Polished Foil Pad (the lake)

Freshly Made Sketches: Celebrating You

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've had this masking stencil and the diagonal stitch square that fit inside in my not-yet-used stash for a while.  I recently got the butterflies. (All from Taylored Expressions.) I was thrilled when I realized all of them could come out to play with this sketch!

I love the "rough" look of the butterflies - the outline stamp is deliberately missing chunks, the filler stamp doesn't quite line up and they are kind of chunky looking.  It's such a different look from many other butterfly stamps. There are many other butterflies in the set -you can see some of them from the die cuts I used to decorate my photo. I already had way too many butterfly stamps/dies (along with leaf and snowflake stamps/dies) but these cuties managed to find a home in my stash!

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

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Taylored Expressions Social Butterflies and coordinating dies

Dies: Taylored Expressions Diagonal Stitch Square Stacklets

Ink: Taylored Expressions Candy Corn, Lemon Meringue, Confetti Cake

Other: Taylored Expressions Scalloped Squares Masking Stencils