Freshly Made Sketches: Happy Fall

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

The stamps and die are new to me from The Stamp Market. They recently had a great sale so I cleaned out my wishlist. I'm not sure why I waited so long on these - they are totally up my alley.  A wonderful layered sentiment with different fonts - and a leaf that can work with simply paper-piecing!

I picked the dsp from my stash because I liked the mix of muted pinks, violets and greens along with a little golden sparkle.  Then I set about the task of picking coordinating cardstock. I have full sets of cardstock and ink from four different companies - including way back retired colors.  (You should see my Stampin' Up stash. I have colors dating back to a time that only people of my vintage have ever heard of.) Even surrounded by a rainbow of colors, I struggled with matching.  All but two that I picked are retired. They work, but that led to the next problem. I only buy cardstock that has matching ink (and vice versa) and I do have the ink for all of the retired colors - but I can't possibly explain how deep that ink is buried in my stash with the requisite re-inkers buried even deeper. So my concept of the card took a hard left at this point because I used ink for the sentiment from one of the non-retired colors.  That was all definitely TMI but my original idea for this card was to lean into the violets and instead I went with the berry - and I ended up loving it!  It lightened it up and gave it all a wonderful fresh look.

I do hope to see in the FMS gallery with your take on this sketch - it's amazing to see how many different cards come out of a single sketch.  The design team already got totally creative with snow, wrapped twine and some creative sentiments!  Be sure to check it out!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: The Stamp Market Filled with Thanks and dies

Dies: The Stamp Market Large Leaves

Paper: DCWV Fall Forest (retired), Stampin' Up retired(!) cardstock in Bumblebee, Terracotta Tile, Sage Shadow and Wisteria Wonder, Papertrey Ink cardstock in Melon Berry and Honey Nut, Memory Box Majestic Hues Glitter Pad

Color Throwdown: A Happy Hello

I'm playing along with the Color Throwdown. The graphic caught my eye and the colors are gorgeous! I decided on butterflies because I felt like the colors were rich and summery and a nice change from the bright spring-like colors that I typically use on butterflies. 

I recently stumbled on these butterflies - new from Alexandra Renke - and was instantly in love with their unique shapes and layers. There are 8 of them (I only got 3) and a dragonfly (which I also got). I found them at starlitstudio.net. I've been shopping there for years. I found the shop when I was looking for some older Memory Box dies - which they had (and usually do) - and I keep going back because I always find fun surprises like these butterflies!

Thank you to the Color Throwdown for the inspiration for the first outing of my gorgeous new butterflies!!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Just Sentiments: Happy Hello

Dies: Alexandra Renke Layered Butterfly 1, Layered Butterfly 6 and Layered Butterfly 8

Paper: Stampin' Up Night of Navy (the OLD dsp) and cardstock in Night of Navy, Tranquil Tide and Crushed Curry

Other: Pretty Pink Posh Marigold gems

Poppystamps: Harvest Birthday

 I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with this very simple yet very detailed birthday card.

I adore fall colors, but I especially love how they pop against gray skies and the morning frost so I use a lot of gray in my autumn-themed cards.  This card is perhaps going a bit overboard with gray but I wanted to lean into the wonderful detail on this die cut. It would also be gorgeous with a wash of rich fall colors, but I like that it stands alone.  There are full details and many more pictures on the Poppystamps blog!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Poppystamps Say It Big clear stamp and die set

Dies: Poppystamps Harvest Oval Frame

Other: Autumn Fairy Jewels, Memory Box Earth Neutral 6x6 pack

Freshly Made Sketches: Boo

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 just got a package of fabulous new products from Poppystamps and it was still out on my craft desk when I looked at this week's FMS sketch. The combination of dies and sketch worked perfectly and for me, this was a rare card that came together quickly and easily!

I found some fun paper way in the back of my stash. Then I used all the dies from Halloween Assemblage and the fun Boo Poe Script die to fill each area. To keep it fresh, I cut the dies in white to pop from the patterns, then added a few hints of glitter paper. You can see that I popped a couple of the dies, and I also layered up the sparkly Boo with three layers behind it.

I had such a great time putting this together that I went ahead with it even knowing that I have no idea to whom I would send it! My sons in their 20s would not appreciate the cuteness - nor would my teenage nieces (in fact, I'm thinking that they hate "cute" more than my sons because they are trying to so hard to be grown up).  My friends are all my age with grown children (and no grandbabies yet). My work friends either have grown children or other friends are younger and haven't started families.  There are literally no children in my life! It really takes some of the fun out of making cards.  Maybe this is all a reason to make even more Halloween cards and donate them? But I've never seen any group calling for Halloween cards.  Oh well - it was fun!!

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

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Poppystamps Boo Poe Script and Halloween Assemblage

Paper: Doodlebug Haunted Manor 6x6 (really old!), Memory Box Majestic Hues Glitter Pad (the silver) and Graceful Garden Glitter Pad (the orange and green)

TGIF: Woo Hoo!

My long-time Stampin' Up demonstrator's birthday is tomorrow and I needed some inspiration quickly.  I like to use current products and my current SU stash is a little short on birthdays.  Luckily, the TGIF Challenge had a nice sketch that inspired me - and one of their fabulous design team even used this butterfly!  It turns out I do have current products that work for birthdays!

I love the funky chunky look of these butterflies. I have so many graceful butterflies - this was a nice change. Then I realized that the stamp set I got with sale-a-bration could work for birthday - maybe it's a stretch but at least it's an excited sentiment and talks about another year!  I pulled some older paper out - Playing with Patterns. I got it just for the sheer uniqueness of the color combo. I haven't really embraced it, but it does seem to work with my fun little butterfly and bold sentiment.

Thank you to the TGIF challenge for the inspiration!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Stampin' Up Amazing Phrasing (sale-a-bration)

Dies: Stampin' Up Build a Butterfly, Rectangle Stitched

Paper: Stampin' Up Night of Navy and Calypso Coral CS, Playing with Patterns dsp (retired)

Ink: Stampin' Up Crushed Curry, Calypso Coral

Other: blue gems

Freshly Made Sketches: Well Hello There

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

 

I have more birds in my stash that any one person should ever need - but I keep getting newer, cuter, prettier, quirker birds - just about any excuse will do.  I love the new Sweetie Bird by Spellbinders - so many fun layers! There's also a Little Chickadee which I haven't found in stock anywhere yet, and a Tweet Cardinal which will show up on one of my cards soon.  

The same is true of flowers. I really liked the Be Bold set from Spellbinders but I didn't get it on the first day and then it was out of stock forever. Long enough that I realized that the last thing I needed was another set of flowers - even though this set is huge and gorgeous - so I took it off my wishlist.  Then I was wandering Hobby Lobby a couple of weeks ago and the dies were on sale and look what they had! This set clearly needed a home in my craft room.

Given I had the Sweet Birdie on my desk, the circle on the sketch was very obviously a little hole for his house. I pulled out all of my favorite fresh colors and decided to do him in the warmer colors and a little bouquet at his entrance in cooler colors. The sentiment is a pre-done strip from Simon Says and felt exactly right for him!

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

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Spellbinder Be Bold Bloom, Sweet Birdie

Paper: Stampin' Up Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody, Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana, Granny Apple Green, Parakeet Party, Doodlebug Petite Prints Stone Gray Wood Grain

Other: Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Strips 2, Pretty Pink Posh Marigold gems

52 Christmas Card Throwdown: Wonderful in Pink and Purple

 I am honored to be this week's guest at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown. It's a great one - it's a color challenge with pink, purple and gold.

Funny story. I personally don't use much pink, purple or gold - not ever, let alone for Christmas!!  On my own, I would never have gone in the direction of this card, but I actually have ended up loving it. Challenges (or throwdowns) are "challenges" for a reason - they push our creativity. They push us into new colors, or techniques or themes. Thank you to the fine group at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown for this nudge into a new-to-me color scheme - I actually think I'll use it again!

My first thought for these colors was snow or snowmen but I felt like the gold added elegance. So then I went towards the poinsettias and I found one in my stash that was a bit modern to add to the unique look of the colors. I knew the gold needed a bold sentiment. Then I added three stripes - using a golden texture in the middle (you can see the glittery flash on the right side of the card.)

I hope to see you playing along at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown.  They have challenges and inspiration week after week all year long to help us get a good start on our Christmas card stashes!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Waffle Flower Wonderful Christmas

Dies: Flora & Fauna Poinsettia

Paper: Taylored Expressions Pink Champagne, Stampin' Up Highland Heather and Be Dazzling Specialty Paper (retired)

Other: Stampin' Up Gold Glitter Enamel Dots (retired)

Poppystamps: Wonderful Friend

 I'm on the Poppystamps blog today with this Whittle Happy Fox in his garden!

This guy just makes me happy.  I LOVE his expression!!  I made him first then smiled as I made the card, then again the next day when I took pictures and edited them, then today as I'm writing this post.  Isn't this just a wonderful hobby?!

I put him in a garden made from the tiniest flower in the Petite Blooms Flowers set. Then to make sure he was the focus, I put him in a frame  from Scalloped stitch Frames with a few stripes behind it. 

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

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Poppystamps Diamond Sentiments

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Happy Fox, Petite Blooms Flowers, Colwell Label and Scalloped Stitch Frames

Paper: Memory Box/Poppystamps Berry Red, Sunny Orange and Fresh Aqua

Freshly Made Sketches: Cool Christmas

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!

I am thoroughly enjoying working with Stampin' Up's Snowman Magic.  It's so fun to dress them up in their various hats and scarves.  (On the last card I did, he was wearing a top hat!)  These two little guys were actually "rejects" from that card. As they were sitting on the corner of my desk, calling my name, I imagined this little vertical scene.  I added a tall tree (also from the Snowman die set), then surrounded the scene with snowflakes.

 

Their expressions make me happy!

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

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Stampin' Up Snowman Magic

Dies: Stampin' Up Snowman dies

Paper: Stampin' Up Tahitian Tide, 2022-2024 In Color dsp (2022), 2022-2024 In Color Glimmer Paper (the star)

Ink: Stampin' Up Parakeet Party, Sweet Sorbet

Inspire.Create: Birthday Rainbows

I am a clean and simple cardmaker. I like the fresh look. But some recent experiences and comments have made me realize that my desire to tailor my cards to the recipient isn't just in the theme or colors, I also need to step out of my CAS style sometimes. 

I had to get a birthday card made yesterday and it was for someone who prefers a bit more than a CAS card. I was stumped - so I took a break and looked through my favorite challenges. The lightbulb came on when I saw the sketch challenge at Inspire.Create.Challenges. I realized I didn't have to take a big leap away from my style - I just needed great patterned paper. 

I love Stampin' Up's Sunshine & Rainbow dsp from last year.  It's all my favorite colors.  The patterns are a bit of a leap outside of my comfort zone but that's what today is about! My original plan was to focus on the Saffron and Mango colors in the sentiment, but apparently I don't use my Saffron ink very often because something is terrible wrong with it. It's the older style pad - it's not just dry - I guess eventually they fail.  Darn! Now I need to order more products and get a new Saffron pad and maybe enough for a sale-a-bration set or two!!!

I don't buy much ribbon anymore.  I used to make very certain I had ribbon for every possible color - also buttons, gems, etc. But at some point, I had to let go of my complete-collection-obsession.  Ribbon seemed like an obvious thing to let go because I've never managed to tie a decent bow (at least without a bow-tying tool like the Bow Easy) - plus bows add so much bulk and makes it very hard to mail. So I haven't bought ribbon in years.  I have my old collection (in the top built-in in my high-ceiling craft room requiring a step ladder) but I drug it down thinking I could find something in So Saffron which is one of the colors in the paper. Instead, this Crushed Curry jumped out at me - it's not technically in the paper but it sure looks like the Mango that is in the paper. 

I also took inspiration from the photo that used a bit of twine with the ribbon. I did mine slightly differently but I like the look. 

A big thank you to Inspire.Create for the inspiration for this card.  It's nothing fancy and it probably doesn't look it to most of you - but it's a big leap out of my comfort zone.  But it's also absolutely perfect for the recipient!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Stampin' Up Biggest Wish

Dies: Stampin' Up Tailor Made Tags

Paper: Stampin' Up Sunshine & Rainbows, Pool Party cardstock

Ink: Stampin' Up Pool Party, Bermuda Bay

Other: Crushed Curry Grosgrain Polka Dot

Freshly Made Sketches: Happy Days and Butterflies

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!

As I was flipping through my stash hoping for inspiration, I hit upon these butterflies fairly quickly.  Then I decided to give them three fields of flowers and I had these gorgeous patterns from The Rabbit Hole. 

The sentiment was a bit more of a struggle. I thought this was coming together perfectly for a retirement card I need in the next few months. The future retiree is all about her garden. But I needed a vertical sentiment and the word "retirement" is a long horizontal word. When I found this sentiment, I thought I was on to something - after all, retirement should be happy and joyful. I figured I could put a retirement sentiment on the inside. I'm having second thoughts now that I'm typing this - the sentiment feels wedding-ish. What do you think??

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

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Memory Box Joyful Moments

Dies: Memory Box Drifting Side Butterfly (the larger one) and Flitter Side Butterfly (the smaller one)

Paper: The Rabbit Hole Designs Spring Floral #2, Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow, Sweet Sorbet, Grapefruit Grove

Ink: Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow