Freshly Made Sketches: A Tree in the Window

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!

 

I love to walk around my neighborhood. Every season has its beauty (loving the squirrels playing in the crunchy leaves right now) but I am most fond of walks before Christmas just as it is getting dark. It's cold and snowy outside but people still have their curtains open and with their Christmas trees and other decorations, their windows just glow. That's what I was trying to create here.

I'm using Stampin' Up's Decorative Tree dies. I love the variety of layered trees there are in this set. I embossed snowflakes and added a shimmery white pine branch on the ouside of the window. The inside is a sparkly tree and a warm yellow glow. The sentiment is a very old single sold by Stampin' Up but it is such a fun look and the perfect size for so many cards, it will always stay in my collection.

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

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Stampin' Up Be Very Merry (a long ago single)

Dies: Stampin' Up Decorative Trees, Decorative Pines and Stylish Shapes, Essentials by Ellen Essential Arches

Paper: Stampin' Up Gold Foil Sheets, Old Olive Glimmer (from Berry Burst, Old Olive & White 12 x 12 Glimmer Specialty Paper), Cherry Cobbler Glimmer (from Festive 12 x 12 Glimmer paper), Playing with Patterns dsp, cardstock in Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler and Crushed Curry

Other: Stampin' Up Winter Snow embossing folder

Thanksgiving with Nordic Leaves

I got this big Thanksgiving die by Photoplay but hadn't found a way to use it. I generally like big sentiments because they can look so good on a great piece of dsp or an embossed background - and it's so easy. But so far I hadn't found the right way to use this one. Then Poppystamps added leaves to their Nordic collection and I knew what I needed to do! (BTW - with a last name like Singdahlsen and my mom's maiden name being Gustafson - I definitely have an affinity for anything Nordic!)

You gotta love the pink tone to all of my fall cards. All of my pictures are natural light - I've never invested in any kind of photo set up. But there's a massive and absolutely gorgeous red maple outside my craft room window so the light that filters in is pink! I do color correct the photo but I can only go so far before all the other colors start changing.  Here's how it started!

This will be the last of my daily posts. I made a great dent on the pile of products that I wanted to remember to use, reuse or destash. The pile isn't gone but it is manageable. I made multiple cards for upcoming holidays. I made decisions about destashing. And it was great because for a week, I didn't have time to cook dinner, clean house or pay bills!! (Although I did manage to get to work every day, so no one can say I'm totally obsessed.) For sure, I'll still be here every Wednesday for Freshly Made Sketches and also whenever another card or challenge calls my name.

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Photoplay Happy Thanksgiving, Poppystamps Nordic Oak Leaves and Nordic Maple Leaves

Paper: Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie, Peach Pie, Crushed Curry, Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lolly, Granny Apple Green, Lemon Lime Twist, Pecan Pie and Lost Lagoon, Taylored Expressions Granny Smith and Candy Corn

Other: Stampin' Up Subtle Embossing Folder, Paper Rose Ben's Plaid Embossing Folder

Waffle Flower Postage Collage Snowman

Last week I posted a card with a stenciled leaf wreath but said I was thinking of destashing my stencils because I don't use them. It seems that, while many of you love using stencils, you've given me "permission" to destash!! The general view being that there are just too many great crafty products out there so why use something that I don't enjoy. I had totally decided to do that and what shows up in my mailbox? New stencil sets. (I think I have a problem!) 

I absolutely love the series of postage collage stencils, dies, stamps, etc from Waffle Flower so I had to try them before cutting stencils out of my crafting life.

If any of you have this stencil set, you might be looking at my card like there's something wrong.  There is.  I got it all finished and pulled out the postage stamp die, tried to line it up, and cursed multiple times...loudly. My family came running - I don't typically curse, let alone at the top of my lungs.  But guess what?  I had done the whole thing backwards so it didn't line up with the die.  It was a horrible moment.  Obviously I got the job done - I die cut from the backside so the edges aren't crisp and clean. But I was not wasting my entire inky morning!

It hasn't changed my decision on stencils - in fact the panicked moment at the end just solidified my move away from stencils. It's really a shame and a loss on my part, because these postal collage stencils are amazing!  (And yes, I ordered two different sets so I have one more to play with!)  And then I'll destash!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Waffle Flower Elegant Christmas Sentiments (and dies)

Dies: Waffle Flower Postage Collage Die

Ink: Stampin' Up Balmy Blue, Pecan Pie, Mango Melody, Flirty Flamingo, Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana, Fresh Freesia and Lemon Lime Twist

Other: Waffle Flower Postage Collage Snowman stencil, Frost Shimmer Spray

Christmas Lights Inlay

I've posted every day this week and "blaming" my friend Carol (or giving her credit for motivating me!) but truth be told, I needed the productivity of this week.  I have three areas for my stash.  The corner of my desk is for those products that absolutely must be used. It might be because I've used it once but it deserves to be used again, or maybe it's a product that needs "testing" (like a few days ago when I stenciled something to decide whether I was destashing my stencils) or quite frankly, maybe it cost more than I usually spend.  The corner was overflowing and getting in the way of my regular crafting. I should have taken a before picture, but after crafting all week (I only posted a small portion of what I did) - my desk is looking fantastic!!  Thanks to Carol! 

In case you are curious, the second area of my stash is a rolling cart with boxes for products that I haven't used but someday I will...at least I hope I will!  (Some of my stash has been there for years - literally purchased new but now retired.) Then there's actual storage for products that I've used. I keep stamps and dies by theme and/or company. I used the white mesh Elfa drawer system.  We won't talk about how many drawers that I have.  Unfortunately, many products tend to go there to just disappear. Frankly, I couldn't make enough cards to use all of it. But I know you all understand that collecting is as much fun as crafting!

Enough chatter - the cover die for today's card came from the corner of my desk and falls into the "cost-a-lot" category. Although in fairness, Concord and 9ths cover plate dies are very reasonably priced compared to other companies so I think I over-reacted by putting it on my corner. But being there got it used so it's all good!! (The sentiment came out of the second area of my stash.)

The colors were on my desk from yesterday's card so easy choice there. I went with the orange sentiment just to be different but I think I'm regretting it - I'm not sure it's a "strong" enough color. Of course, Christmas lights need tinsel so I added just a bit along the edge.

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Concord & 9th Christmas Lights Inlay die, Simon Says Stamp Fancy Happy Holidays

Paper: Stampin' Up Granny Apple Green, Flirty Flamingo, Daffodil Delight, Pretty in Pink, Mango Melody, and Poppy Parade, Papertrey Ink Aqua Mist, Taylored Expressions Cilantro

Other: Stampin' Up Trim Tinsel Clear

Striped Decorative Tree

I've had this card in my head since I got the die set. The card isn't unique, in fact, for a while it seemed like every other card out there had stripes...and I loved them all!! 

These tree dies were going to be my go-to this year but I've only used them once.  Not only that, but I didn't even love the one card that I posted here. But I do like this one! It's bright and cheerful with some sparkle in the star and the tree branches. The Decorative Trees set by Stampin' Up has multiple detailed dies. You could make any look or style with them. I guess I need to get busy using the rest!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Stampin' Up Brightest Glow

Dies: Stampin' Up Decorative Trees, Stylish Shapes (cut down to be a bit shorter)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Pretty in Pink, Flirty Flamingo, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Mango Melody Coastal Cabana, Granny Apple Green, white glimmer paper (from a pack with Berry Burst, Old Olive and white)

Poinsettia Joy

 A few weeks ago, I was thrilled to be a guest at the Flower challenge at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown with this card. But I actually made a different card first...

I like this card, but I just wasn't feeling it for the challenge.  I think mainly because it was record-setting heat outside my window and these rich and classic colors just weren't calling my name. (The card I posted had a lot of white and softer colors.)  I've mentioned my friend Carol a few times this week - that she was worried she wasn't getting emails with my posts but in reality, I just hadn't been posting - so just for her, I decided I should post this card this week!

The "JOY" comes from The Stamp Market. I replaced the "O" with a poinsettia from Holiday Blooms by Spellbinders. There are so many more flowers in the set, but I like just this simple arrangement to mirror the paper in the background.

Thanks to Carol for my inspiration to post it!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: The Stamp Market Joy, Spellbinders Holiday Blooms

Paper: Stampin' Up Garden Walk dsp, cardstock in Poppy Parade, Garden Green, Wild Wheat and Pretty Peacock

Other: Stampin' Up 2023-2025 In Color Dots, Petal Pink & Pretty Peacock Foiled Gems

Freshly Made Sketches: Ghostly Cats 2

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

I have a work friend who is having a tough recovery from surgery. I've been sending her "feel better" type cards but she is a huge fan of Halloween and of cats - so even though I've stated I'm not a big Halloween card person, she needs one!

I used the same Poppystamps Ghostly Cats that I used here then surrounded them with a variety of older Halloween/autumns dies. I'm normally all about the fresh white card but the ghosts and colorful pumpkins and leaves needed to pop so I pulled out some Pebbled Path dsp and Lost Lagoon for a nighttime scene.

I know I've stated that I don't do Halloween cards but they are truly fun to do.  I need to find some new friends (or family!) that actually celebrate Halloween simply so I have a reason to make the cards! I hope to see you playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches. 

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Taylored Expressions All Tucked In Halloween

Dies:Poppystamps Ghostly Cats, Haunting Pumpkins (retired) and Snowman and Trees (the tree - retired), Memory Box Swooping Bats (retired) and Wrapped Stitch Rectangles, Honey Bee Stamps Itty Bitty Leaves, Altenew Featured Sentiments (for the sentiment)

Paper: Stampin' Up Tartan Foil, cardstock in Lost Lagoon, Pumpkin Pi, Crushed Currey and Pebbled Path

Other: Pretty Pink Posh Graphite Gems

Harvest Blessings

 I am very late to the world of stencils. Actually that's not quite true. I bought dozens and dozens of them when they first started coming out and then I stenciled once or twice but just didn't enjoy it. I think it's a little bit like cooking dinner - I say I don't enjoy cooking but what I really dislike is cleaning up.  Ditto with stencils. I get ink everywhere and then there are the brushes to clean and don't get me started on how much the permanent stains made by red ink stress me out.

But the newer generations of stencils are absolutely amazing and they create works of art.  I feel like I'm missing all the fun of stencils. I went through my current stash of stencils - most of which are the simple background stencils that came out with the first generation of stencils- but I found this two layer Leaves Wreath by Simon Says and thought I'd give it a try.  

You can see I'm very simplistic although I'm quite proud that there are actually 7 colors on this card all blended together - two oranges, two yellows, two greens and the brown. I definitely groaned heavily when it was time to clean up so I'm fairly sure that stencils still won't be my thing but I like the results and I just might be able to justify bringing a few of the newer amazing artistic stencils into my stash.

The sentiment was done on a banner simply because I refused to stamp directly on my stenciled background with the potential to mess it up!

(Hey Carol - this is the second card this week and I already have #3 ready to go! You are a good motivator!!)

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Right at Home Be Thankful

Stencil: Simon Says Stamp Leaves Wreath

Ink: Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie, Peach Pie, Pecan Pie (hungry yet?!), Crushed Curry, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Lemon Lime Twist

Other: Stampin' Up Subtle embossing folder, Pinkfresh Gold Glitter Drops

Fa La La

 I had lunch with a dear friend over the weekend and it turns out she was worried that she had stopped getting email notices from my blog.  It had nothing to do with email - I just hadn't posted in a while!  So this week's for you Carol!! (And I'm sorry that lunch was so bad!)

Here's a card that I had made on a Christmas card binge about a month ago but never got it posted.

This is Stamp Market's Fa La La cover Plate. (I am fairly certain that when I made this card and checked their website it was there, but I don't see it now.) 

I cut the Fa La La out of a white panel, then I cut a panel of green slightly smaller than the white panel and cut the Fa La La out of that too.  I cut it slightly smaller so that I could move it around until just a shadow of the green shows at the edge of each letter. I picked a bold Christmas dsp that I love - it's LDRS Creative Peace and Joy and then I cut pieces to fit behind the letters. The tall "Fa" is 1 7/8" x 5", the upper right "La" is 1 3/4 x 2 3/8, and the lower right is 1 7/8 x 2 3/4.  Then there was a little too much white so I added a sprig of holly with some glitter dots as the berries. 

It wsa a quick and easy card once I got the measurements figured out!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: The Stamp Market Fa La La Cover, Holly & Berries

Paper: LDRS Creative peace and Joy, Taylored Expressions Cilantro and Peapod cardstock

Other" Stampin' Up Toile Tidings Glitter Enamel dots

Freshly Made Sketches: Ghostly Cats

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

 

I swore I was done with ever making Halloween cards.  There is really no one in my life to send to. My adult sons just roll their eyes, my teenage nieces never really did Halloween and I don't have any obsessive friends.  And that was OK with me - I could just keep focusing on Thanksgiving and Christmas.  But now my oldest son has a serious girlfriend and she deeply appreciates anything that I send. Plus they just got a cat, plus the Ghostly Cats die from Poppystamps just came out. All of that was telling me that I wasn't done with Halloween cards after all!!

I was thrilled when I realized I had a pumpkin die in my stash that mimicked the tag in the sketch. Then I found some fun and feminine Halloween paper and plopped the pumpkin in a field of flowers. (I'll address it to both my son and the girlfriend but we all know the girlfriend trumps the son when I design a card for both of them.)  I am very limited in Halloween sentiment dies. I had wanted to put a longer sentiment on the diagonal but just couldn't fit what I had. I like how it ended up though when the "trick or trick" fit into the open space. 

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

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Poppystamps Ghostly Cats, Papertrey Ink Tricky Trio (retired), Picket Fence Layering Flora: Pretty Pumpkin Die

Paper: The Stamp Market (retired), Stampin' Up Wild Wheat, Pumpkin Pie (background of the pumpkin)

Freshly Made Sketches: Happy Thanksgiving

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'm on a roll the last few weeks with richly-colored Thanksgiving cards! Perhaps it's because I spent the end of last week leaf-peeping up in the mountains and am very much in the mood. Thank goodness we took a couple of days off and went up during the week because when we came home on Saturday, I think the entire city of Denver was heading the other way up into the mountains to see the leaves given the miles-long traffic backups. What makes that worse is that Colorado hardly has autumn leaves - just aspen trees tucked into the pines. I don't have any great stories about this trip as I did last week but that's expected. We were in a very touristy part of the state and it was crowded so, although we had a lot of fun, it just a different kind of trip.

With the weekend in mind, I added some colorful fall leaves to my card - along with a big pumpkin. I found some older patterned paper with the colors that I liked and mirrored those in the die cuts. The sentiment is from a set of three by Photo Play. I liked the unique look of it and it fit perfectly into the rectangle on the sketch. 

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

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Photo Play Autumn Word Trio, Taylored Expressions Layered Pumpkins, The Stamp Market Mini Autumn Leaves, Honey Bee Itty Bitty Fall Flowers, Stampin' Up Stitched Rectangles

Paper: Doodlebug Design Flea Market, Stampin' Up Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Lemon Lime Twist, Granny Apple Green, Pecan Pie, Peach Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Coastal Cabana, Taken with Teal