Freshly Made Sketches: Birthday In Bloom

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

 

When I saw the sketch, I had intended to use a rainbow.  I hadn't used one in a while and I love the look.  I'm just not sure when that idea went out the window. I think it happened gradually.  First I saw one of my stamp sets with an arc of flowers - that sounded fun.  But then I started thinking that I didn't feel like coloring plus how was I going to do an accent like the cloud.  Then I looked for a set that had an extra flower that I could pop up like an accent instead of the cloud  And the next idea...and the next...and the next!  So I ended up nowhere near a rainbow but I was clearly inspired by the sketch!

I didn't post anything last week because we drove across 2 1/2 states to see my son play lacrosse on his senior day. (2,072 miles there and back!) My youngest is just a month away from graduating from college - so we'll be doing it all again soon!

My husband and I both like road trips so we decided to take some extra time and meander across half of Colorado, Nebraska and Iowa.  It was a very enjoyable trip.  My husband is convinced we need to retire to northeast Iowa because it has great fishing for him.  I love how he tries to convince me in the spring - not in the humid summer heat nor during the long gray winters. We took the Lincoln Highway going east which wanders through farmland and small towns - it was truly beautiful. We took in a few "touristy" things - the Field of Dreams, the Bridges of Madison County, Herbert Hoover's presidential library, the Dutch settlement of Pella.  But the actual highlight of my trip were the Freedom Rocks.  It's hard to explain - you really have to experience them.  Each of the 99 counties has a giant rock that an artist has painted as a tribute to veterans, typically from that county, and their stories are included.  Every war, every branch, POWs, MIAs, one of the flag raisers on Iwo Jima, medal of honor recipients and so much more.  We hadn't heard of them so missed quite a few on the drive east - but once we did figure it out, we went out of our way and managed to see about a dozen of them on our way home.

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

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Concord & 9th In Bloom and dies

Dies: Concord & 9th Birthday dies

Paper: Stampin' Up Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody, Granny Apple Green and Balmy Blue, Memory Box Glossy Black

Ink: Stampin' Up Balmy Blue

Other: Honey Bee stamps Black Gem Stickers

Freshly Made Sketches: Birthday Poppies

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 have mixed feelings about my own card.  I quickly decided to use the retiring Stampin' Up Poppy Moments die then I added the retiring Fancy Frames to add some detail to the background.  In the midst of planning this card, I was also organizing and had pulled out some of the old colors that are now new again (retired but now returning). I saw that I must not have loved Berry Burst because I only had a few unused sheets from the sampler pack they always have and I have no ink so I figured I ought to give it another try. I felt the same about Fresh Freesia. As they were sitting together on my stack of re-organized cardstock, I thought they paired nicely so I combined them on my flowers. But then I had a theme going with returning colors and I definitely get stuck in my themes. I had to continue with returning colors, right??! There aren't any returning greens so I decided to be dramatic and use Lost Lagoon and Pretty Peacock.  And thus the mixed feelings.  When I see other people use non-traditional colors, like blue for leaves, I love it.  I am in awe of their creativity and their finished cards are so eye-catching.  But when I use non-traditional colors, it just feels wrong. I'm sure it's somehow connected to my day-job as an accountant who totally geeks out over spreadsheets - everything has to be organized in neat columns, all in its correct place, and it makes sense in the end.  Blue leaves are simply not correct and they don't make sense, so my mind panics when I try to do it!  Anyway, I don't love it - but I'm hoping you don't hate it!!

I had everything laid out and then I glanced back at the sketch and realized the sentiment was supposed to be part of the main element - not down to the side as I had planned.  I try hard to follow sketches exactly - you don't have to, it's just part of my personal challenge - so I hunted down a very old sentiment that would fit in small banner and kind of made of made it part of the main flower. 

You know what the real problem is?  I still don't love Berry Burst or Fresh Freesia!!

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

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Stampin' Up Wishes Your Way (long retired)

Dies: Stampin' Up Poppy Moments, Fancy Frames, Stylish Shapes

Paper: Stampin' Up Berry Burst, Fresh Freesia, Lost Lagoon, Pretty Peacock

Ink: Stampin' Up Lost Lagoon

Other: Stampin' Up Woven Threads Sequins (retired)

Freshly Made Sketches: Birthday Butterfly

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 knew this sketch was going to be about the paper. I generally don't use a ton of patterned paper so why not pull out a favorite pad and use it on this card!! That part was easy, but then I started thinking sentiments.  First I thought about stamping in the square.  Then I thought about a long sentiment across the bottom.  Finally I accidentally stumbled on this older square happy birthday and it fit perfectly! 

Then it needed something more - I really like dimension and it was very flat. A butterfly seemed like a perfect addition given the floral patterns. I LOVE this older layered butterfly from Birch Press - his little antennae are my favorite. 

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

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Birch Press Genevieve Butterfly Layer set,  Lil' Inker Designs Boxed Up Birthday

Paper: Honey Bee Stamps Sweet on You, Stampin' Up Calypso Coral, Groovy Guava, Blush Blossom

Other: Stampin' Up Gingham Gala Adhesive-Backed Gems