Freshly Made Sketches: Joyful Christmas

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

 

I didn't try to find anything overly creative with this sketch because I knew I had beautiful ornament dies that I wanted to use. I picked an ornament from The Greetery mostly because I knew I also had a fabulous background by them that was in my not-yet-used stash. I love the classic look of the two of them.

I struggled with a sentiment. I do have Christmas sentiments by The Greetery but they were either big die cuts or tiny little stamps and just didn't fit. I came upon this old set from Papertrey Ink that had the look that fit the card, used the word "joyful" to fit my bright and cheerful colors, and fit well around the ornament. I think I struggle with finding the right sentiment more than anything else on a card but this one came together for me!

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

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Papertrey Ink Words to Live By: Joyful
Dies: The Greetery Jumbo Curiosity Teardrop Ornament, Twinkle Background, Papertrey Ink Joyful, Honey Bee Stamps Stacking Art Deco Labels
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Granny Apple Green, Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight, My Favorite Things Pineapple, Concord & 9th Neutral Foils Paper Pack
Ink: Taylored Expressions Cilantro

Freshly Made Sketches: Give 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!

I saw the sketch and I remembered that I had a simple little die set from Stampin' Up named Label Me Grateful dies. I got it for the dainty little leaves and acorns but hadn't used it yet. It was clearly all coming together perfectly so I created a Thanksgiving card even though I technically have all that I need. Just preparing ahead for next year I guess!

I cut out the elements in the same colors that I used a few weeks ago on this card. I really liked the blue in the mix (and also the cardstock was still out on my craft desk!) I used a wood plank embossed background and then lightly rubbed it with white to make the grain stand out.  

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

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Stampin' Up Arrange a Wreath (sentiment)
Dies: Stampin' Up Label Me Grateful dies
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Old Olive, Lost Lagoon, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, Crumb Cake and Summer Sun (long retired)
Ink: Stampin' Up Pecan Pie
Other: Stampin' Up Pinewood Planks embossing folder

Freshly Made Sketches: The Heavens Rejoice

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

   

 

I had a totally different card in my head when I started. I already had the dies out to do a big poinsettia bouquet in the bigger space and a vertical sentiment. But as I was looking for the last few things that I needed, I saw this die that's spent a long time in my not-yet-used stash.  I figured if I didn't use a die that filled about 1/3 of the left side of a panel - just like the sketch - I might as well never use the die. Of course, it's not perfect, I don't have anything like the red panel on my card. I did try adding some panels behind the angel so I could have that edge but I just liked it too much all by itself.

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

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Penny Black Promise of Hope
Dies: Tutti Designs Angel Corner
Other: Simon Says Stamp Shimmering Starfall Embossing Folder

Freshly Made Sketches: Blessings

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

I got the leaf die years ago when I saw a number of the design team samples included wreaths. I loved the way this sprig of leaves could build up to a layered wreath. One of the samples was in the same shape as the wreath on my card. I never got around to building any layered wreath so as I was designing this sketch, I put it together to build a wreath. I did toy around with some other sprigs but none of them rounded just right for this wreath. Although I added a banner on the sketch, when it came time, I didn't want to cover any of the leaves so I used a nicely-shaped sentiment.

I also used one of very favorite background dies from a long-gone company. I use it often but in all recent cards, the other elements on the card hide the cute little heart. I immediately thought of this die when I realized that on this card the heart would be shown off beautifully. Then I went one step further and added a sweet little bird right by the heart!

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

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: The Greetery Blessed Blooms and dies
Dies: Simon Says Stamps Olive Leaves and Layered Bird Bunch, Lil Inkers Stitched Woodgrain
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Lost Lagoon, Old Olive and Crumb Cake
Other: Stampin' Up Streaked Dots

Freshly Made Sketches: Trick or Treat

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!

I'll be honest. I do not need another Halloween card (although I do have someone to give it to) but I was flipping through my stash and saw these three already-made pumpkins left over from a past project.  How could I possibly walk by a trio of pumpkins when the sketch has three circles on a hill?!!  

Given to whom it is going, I had to find a somewhat snarky sentiment. I have a shockingly large collection of boozy Halloween sentiments that could have worked but I didn't have a small enough beer mug or wine glass for these guys which was needed if I wanted to use the sentiment. (I'm very matchy-matchy that way.)  So I just went with a childhood classic sentiment although I will admit to being really bothered by the fact that pumpkins don't have feet to smell!

I added "wind" in the background then corrugated the ground to give it some interesting texture. I was thrilled to find a big moon in another set that also has stitching just like the pumpkins. It all came together easily and I'm thrilled those sweet little pumpkins found a place!

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

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Concord & 9th Playful Pumpkins & dies, Photoplay Trick or Treat Halloween & word dies

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Rainbow Unicorn (the moon), Photoplay Sentiment Strips

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Highland Heather and Crushed Curry, Taylored Expressions Candy Corn

Other: Taylored Expressions Twirls and Swirls EF, Stampin' Up Mini Corrugated 3D EF

Freshly Made Sketches: Miss 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!

 

The idea for this card came to me almost immediately when I saw the sketch (which is rare for me!) I originally intended to use an actual banner, as per the sketch, instead of a branch then emboss/stamp/cut a woodgrain into it to look like a branch. I couldn't make that work without it looking super heavy which was not what I wanted for this card. I had the little bird picked, then needed a sentiment and when I saw "miss you", it just seemed perfect for the single bird.

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

SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Kristina Werner with Concord & 9th Big Type Greetings, Spellbinders Sweet Birds on a Branch, Taylored Expressions On a Limb - Branches and On a Limb - Leaves
Other: Spellbinders Head in the Clouds Embossing Folder

Freshly Made Sketches: Peace, Hope & Joy

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!

At this time of year, anything round looks like a wreath to me - whether it be a fall, winter or Christmas wreath. I was determined to be different with this sketch, but obviously I couldn't get past the wreath. I tried, but as I was flipping through my not-yet-used stash, I started realizing this card could be a real stash-buster with multiple products, including at least one of my many wreaths, that could be moved into my regular stash after I used them. (As I decrease my not-yet-used stash, I can enjoy shopping, although it could be a year from now before I make a big enough dent to bring too much new stuff home.)

Since I didn't challenge myself with the wreath, I decided to jump out of my comfort zone with colors - or at least with the greens. It's a big step for me but I'm sure it won't be noticed by anybody else. I decided to use the cooler greens that I never use - Stampin' Up's Shy Shamrock and Shaded Spruce. I am always about yellower greens; Granny Apple Green is my favorite. I'm looking at the picture and thinking I could branch out of my comfort zone more often! 

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

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Pinkfresh Basic Banners: Christmas
Dies: Poppystamps Stitch Wreath and Nordic Bird Bunch, Sizzix/Tim Holtz Christmas Minis (the ornament), Pinkfresh Basic Banners
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Shaded Spruce, Shy Shamrock, Flirthy Flamingo, Poppy Parade, Real Red
Other: Studio Katia Red Hearts

A Christmas Hello

I was surprised recently to realize I didn't have any embossing folders with trees. I immediately remedied that when I found this Christmas Tree 2D folder by Chloe's Creative. I wanted to use it right away by adding a trio of bright and graphic trees in front of that forest of white, snowy trees!

I want to give credit to last week's 52 Christmas Card Throwdown. Had my order arrived in my mailbox before the challenge ended, I had intended to play along with their sketch. When it didn't come in time, I changed my card up a bit from the sketch - but still wanted to give credit as due.

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: The Stamp Market Heaps of Holiday Words
Dies: Neat & Tangled Scandinavian Prints Christmas, My Favorite Things Mountain High (the snowy ground)
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Granny Apple Green, Summer Splash, Flirty Flamingo, Daffodil Delight, Michaels glittery white
Other: Chloe's Creative Christmas Tree 2D embossing folder, Memory Box Fairy Jewels

The Paper Players: Spooktacular Halloween

Just after last Halloween, I got a set of dies specifically for a card for my son and girlfriend. After a year, they were buried in the stash, so a big thank you to the challenge at The Paper Players as it helped me remember that I had the perfect Halloween costumes for the challenge and for my son, girlfriend AND their cat!

I found some Halloween paper that wasn't too somber and then added a starry sky and a big sentiment. Easy peasy! I love it when the real fun on the card is all about a great die set.

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Photoplay Trick or Treat Halloween
Dies: Simon Says Stamp Trick or Treat Ghosts, Photoplay Trick or Treat Halloween
Paper: Catherine Pooler Sweet-n-Spooky, Taylored Expressions Mushroom, Stampin' Up Berry Burst and Pumpkin Pie
Other: Simon Says Stamp Shimmering Starfall Embossing Folder, Stamp Market Silver Glitter Stars

Freshly Made Sketches: Sweater Weather

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 knew right away that this would be fall-focused card but I planned to use fall patterned paper in the squares for a cozy quilt look. Before I started I was looking through my fall stash and saw this sentiment. It's perfect for my son and his girlfriend. I plan to use this as a Thankgiving card with the "Happy Thanksgiving" on the inside and I'll add something like "We're so thankful you found each other"! With that idea coming together, I stepped away from patterned paper and just added sweater-like stripes and a cable knit embossing folder.

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

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Papertrey Ink Just Sentiments: Happy Fall
Dies: Taylored Expressions Sentiment Stackers, Sweet & Sassy Hearts
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Darling Duckling, Timid Tiger, Pear Pizzazz, Lost Lagoon, Crumb Cake
Ink: Stampin' Up Pecan Pie
Other: Sunny Studio Cable Knit embossing folder, Stampin' Up 2025-27 In Color Flat Pearls

The Paper Players: To You and Yours

I have been doing a better job this year at using new products within a week or two of their arrival into my stash. I actually don't have a lot of new stuff coming in right now because before I implemented that requirement, my not-yet-used stash got out of control and I'm having a wonderful time rediscovering that stash. But I did recently get the Christmas tags in the new Stampin' Up mini catalog. The idea was that I would use them as true tags (I love simple gift wrapping paper with gorgeous tags and bows) but I saw this week's challenge at The Paper Players and the sketch made me imagine two of the patterned tags layered up on a card.

Thank you to the team at The Paper Players for helping me stick to my goal of actually using products!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Stampin' Up Brightest Glow
Dies: Stampin' Up Patterned Tags
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green, Crumb Cake
Other: Stampin' Up Tasteful Textiles, Champagne Rhinestone Basic Jewels

Freshly Made Sketches: Autumn Blessings

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!

It hasn't quite cooled off enough here to be perfect fall weather (although any drop in temperature from the horribly hot summer is welcome). But the huge red maple outside my craft room window is showing signs. Each leaf stem is red and the tips of many of the leaves are starting to turn. Throughout the neighborhood, there's a few leaves that I have fallen that I can crunch through in my walks. Autumn is by far my favorite season. I'd make autumn cards all year long - but have you ever noticed that no one raises an eyebrow when you put up a Christmas card in the spring, but it looks wrong when you pull out fall colors in the spring. So I'm jumping on my fall cards now. 

I had planned on a big leaf for the circle but I didn't have a big leaf that came with the detail that I also wanted so I pulled out the Hero Arts Autumn Leaves which are smaller, but have the detail, and an acorn! I love the cut-outs throughout each die cut; it just took a trio of leaves/acorns to fill the space. I love how it turned out. The back panel was giving me a bit of a headache until the lighbulb came on and I knew I wanted a warm quilt. I found a simple quilt die cut and filled it with fall colors and a pop of blue. Then in a nod to the sketch, I added the edge with scallops.

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

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Pretty Pink Posh Sentiment Strips - Fall
Dies: Hero Arts Autumn Leaves, WPlus9 Quilt Cuts 2, Pretty Pink Posh Sentiment Strips, My Favorite Things Mini Scallop
Paper: Stampin' Up Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, Pecan Pie, Lucky Limeade, Crumb Cake plus miscellaneous small prints
Other: Stampin' Up Tasteful Textile Embossing Folder, Cajun Craze & Gold Dots

Freshly Made Sketches: Gifting Snowman

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!

 

There's a cold rain outside my window and there is measurable snow in the mountain towns we visited over the weekend. That definitely put me in the mood for snowflakes and snowmen on this card! I needed a short little snowman to fit in the stripes and found this charming guy in the Waffle Flower Giving Snowmen die set. While I was digging for him, I found the Dashed Snowflake Panel also by Waffle Flower in my not-yet-used stash. 

I grounded him with a stripe of white "snow" and then settled on a soft blue and lavender. I used those same colors on his accessories plus a bit of darker polka dot to give him an accent. Since the dies came from Waffle Flower, I remembered that I had their Classic Holiday Sentiments that included a large variety of small sentiments and happily many of them fit in the stripe that I had already cut. 

It really is amazing how easily a card comes together when you have a charming little snowman die cut smiling at you the entire time!

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

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Waffle Flower Classic Holiday Sentiments

Dies: Waffle Flower Giving Snowmen, Dashed Snowflake Panel

Paper: Stampin' Up Pool Party (and old Pool Party dsp) and Peach Pie, Taylored Expressions Toffee and Lavender Glaze, Doodlebug Swiss Dot Rainbow Petite Prints

Freshly Made Sketches: Etched Butterflies

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

For the last FMS sketch, I used the Stampin' Up color Cloud Cover on kraft and loved how it looked (see it here). As I was imagining ideas for this sketch and butterflies flitted through my mind, I settled on them right away because I saw an opportunity to use Cloud Cover on kraft! Instead of colorful balloons as with my last card, I added white flowers and Soft Seafoam leaves to keep the entire palette calm and peaceful. 

I picked my dies simply by finding those that I had that could cut multiples at once. I do love the details on the butterflies by Paper Rose so they would have come out regardless of how many there were (in this case, six different butterflies). The flowers and leaves are from Spellbinders and included five of each on a die. I had them all laid out and it looked good when I decided the background needed something more. So I used my favorite craft room tool, Press 'n Seal(!), to pick them up all at once, emboss and add a frame to the background, then applied adhesive to all the diecuts at once and I was able to adhere them all at once right back where they were!

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

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Waffle Flower Sweet Lattice Sentiments and dies
Dies: Paper Rose Studio Little Etched Butterflies, Spellbinders Four Seasons, Simon Says Stamps A2 Thin Frames
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Cloud Cover, Soft Seafoam, kraft
Other: Stampin' Up Distressed Tile 3D embossing folder, Stampin' Up Antique Pearls

52 Christmas Card Throwdown: Rejoice

I am thrilled to be the guest designer at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown for their teal and silver color challenge!

Teal and silver said sky and snowflakes or stars to me and how perfect are those for a Christmas card! The next decision was whether to go cute like a snowman or elegant with a Christian message. I started with the background plate and built it with glittery teal and silver. I actually built it to be used vertically and I was going to place a tall snowman along the bottom. Then I was looking for sentiments and stumbled on this "rejoice" that was still in my not-yet-used stash and it just clicked that that's what I wanted to use with the elegant colors and joyful sparkle. So I rotated the background and tucked in the sentiment. When inspiration strikes, you just have to go with it!

If you are running behind on Christmas cards and you haven't played along with this challenge, be sure to check it out. There are sketches, colors, themes and techniques so you have a wide variety of inspiration to pick from.

Thank you to the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown team for letting me join in!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: PhotoPlay Rejoice Word
Dies: PhotoPlay Rejoice Word die, Altenew Layered Snowflake A
Paper: Stampin' Up Pretty Peacock CS, Soft Shimmer in Pretty Peacock, Silver Glimmer
Ink: Stampin' Up Pretty Peacock

Freshly Made Sketches: Love & Laughter

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 love the arch in the middle of this sketch and luckily I actually have a set of arch frames. Then came the fun of figuring out what to put in the middle of it. I'm definitely feeling the desire to do fall cards, but on the other hand, what a perfect sketch for Christmas with the potential look of a church window. On the third hand, my sister-in-law's birthday is coming up and there's nothing in my stash that is quite right for her. Nothing was coming together, but  while I was washing dishes this balloon die popped into my head. I haven't used it in years so I have no idea why I suddenly envisioned it but it seemed just perfect since it highlights the sentiment. And how fun that my mind is crafting while I'm doing housework!!

On a whim, I cut the arch out of Stampin' Up's Cloud Cover cardstock and I ended up loving it on kraft. I wanted colorful, cheerful balloons but the use of Cloud Cover made me head toward a more subdued, yet still colorful palette. I like the look and I think it will be just perfect for my sister-in-law!

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

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Waffle Flower Sweet Birthday Sentiments and dies
Dies: Simon Says Stamp Balloon Bouquet, Essentials by Ellen Essential Arches, Honey Bee Stamps Scallop A2 Card Frames
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Cloud Cover, Soft Sea Foam, Peach Pie, Fresh Freesia
Other: Stampin' Up Muted Palette Dots

Freshly Made Sketches: May God Bless Your Day

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

My brother and sister-in-law were married at the end of September in an old stone church in the mountains of Colorado fully decorated with fall so my card to them will always have a fall theme. You just don't see any fall-themed anniversary cards at the store so I love that I can make it.

I had the idea for the open heart right away and planned to tuck an appropriate anniversay sentiment into it but I don't have a lot of anniversary stamps. I knew they would appreciate a blessing and this one fit perfectly. I'll add the "anniversary" on the inside. I added some splatter which I want to try to do more than I do because it adds a nice texture. Plus in this case, it added a little more white so the white sentiment doesn't look lonely (and I like a little cool and wintery look on my fall cards because I am a huge fan of the crisp weather). Splatters are hard for me because I have to give up control. Even with the bitty splatters I added, some of them ended up in or near my sentiment so it doesn't look as crisp as it should - I hate that but I'll keep trying.

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

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Simon Says Stamp Tiny Words Faith

Dies: Ellen Hutson Essential Hearts, Sizzix/Tim Holtz Funky Foliage, Stampin' Up Textured Notes

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Timid Tiger, Crushed Curry, Pecan Pie

Freshly Made Sketches: Fa La La

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!

I hesitated using these guys for the sketch. On the one hand, how could I not? Three rectangular shapes at the base on the sketch...so using three of the cutest singing snowmen that I've ever seen made sense! On the other hand, I have an FMS teammate who has done the most wonderfully creative things with these guys vs. my use of them which pretty much follows the sample on the packaging that came with the dies.  Check out my teammate, Michele's, creative samples here and here. But I still love my basic card and I think that it shows these are fabulous dies that you can use in a basic way or in very creative ways!

I was also inspired by the sketch to put a sentiment on the third snowman. What I came up with is probably a stretch but I looked through my stash for a Christmas carol sentiment (because they are singing) that was split between a large sentiment for above them and a small sentiment for the third snowman. I did not find it all in one company. The die is from Hello Bluebird. The tiny sentiment is from Concord & 9th. 

I know I wandered fairly far from the sketch although I was inspired. You definitely have to go look at the FMS blog to see the amazing cards were created while actually sticking close to the sketch! I hope to see you playing along with us this week at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Concord & 9th Big On Christmas ("...la la, la la la la.")

Dies: Spellbinders The Snow Notes, Hello Bluebird Christmas Words ("falala")

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Blueberry Bushel, Azure Afternoon, Poppy Parade, Crushed Curry, Granny Apple Green and Crumb Cake

Other: Spellbinders Sparkling Snow embossing folder

Freshly Made Sketches: 14 Years and 700 Sketches

Freshly Made Sketches is celebrating because we are on our 700th sketch!  That's 14 years of challenges!  A big thank you to everybody who plays along and keeps this challenge exciting and inspirational! To celebrate, we are using out 14th challenge, then each design team member is showing off their first card as part of the design team. We even have a couple who have been around since challenge #1.  Plus, a few of the early design team members are back to celebrate with us. Be sure to check out the FMS blog for the fun. Here is my card for challenge #700 (which was originally challenge #14).

My first post on the design team was on 9/30/14 for sketch 152 so it's been 11 years for me! Find the details on this card here. 

Although I have to say that I knew this group was special early on because I did play along with their first sketch on 9/9/11. Find the details on this card here.

Then it turns out that I even played along with the 14th challenge which we are re-doing this week. Find the details on this card here.

Here's to another 700! I hope see you playing along with us this week at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Memory Box Stained Glass Butterfly and Stitched Square Layers (I cut off two sides so that the stitching only showed around the outside of each square), Photoplay Hey Hello Hi

Paper: Stampin' Up 2024-26 In Color dsp, Shy Shamrock cardstock

Other: Stampin' Up 2024-26 In Color Shimmer Gems

Freshly Made Sketches: Thanks & Giving

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

I was struggling a bit with the sketch. I had an idea in my head but after more attempts than I care to count, I just couldn't make it work. So I was getting a little frustrated and flipping through my stash when it hit me that pumpkins are round! Of course, not necessarily the pumpkin I ended up using but at least I had an idea. I wanted to stick with the sketch more and be different on the bottom half of the "circle" than the top half but that sketch difference did give me the idea of having flowers on one half and a butterfly on the other. FYI: The actual die isn't quite this tall. I made the pumpkin then cut it in half across the middle so I could stretch it on both sides of the banner.

I don't have many words today. I'm writing this as I'm running around packing for a trip to Virginia for my mother-in-law's 90th birthday. I am completely obsessive about packing and not forgetting anything so my mind is not on this post. My son just rolls his eyes and reminds me that there are stores where we're going so it's not a disaster if I forget anything. But he doesn't understand how hard it is for a woman-of-a-certain-age to find clothes if I forget clothing or how I wouldn't have time to order the special shampoo that works for my hair. So I'm already in a tizzy and as of the time this posts, I'll only have 8 more hours(!) to get it all done before we leave for the airport. 

You might notice that this is sketch #699 which next week being #700. Be sure to come back for the excitement! I hope to see you playing along with us this week at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Pretty Pink Posh Sentiment Strips Fall

Dies: Picket Fence Pretty Pumpkin, My Favorite Things Boxed in Banners, Stampin' Up Textured Notes, Birch Press Simple Butterfly Contour Layer, Taylored Expressions Little Bits Flower Pots

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Mango Melody, Daffodil Delight, Cloud Cover, Granny Apple Green, Pecan Pie and Crumb Cake

Other: Stampin' Up Opaque Faceted Gems

Sunday Stamps: Birthday Rainbow

I am leaving town tomorrow for a short vacation and realized that I needed to get a card made and mailed before I left; otherwise, it would not get to my friend (and Stampin' Up demonstrator) prior to her birthday. So in a panic yesterday, I browsed challenges for some help and found the color combo at Sunday Stamps that called out to me mostly because I had just found the Stampin' Up Sunshine Vibes rainbow die that was totally misfiled in my stash so I already had a mental note to use it!  

The challenge was to use a minimum of three colors, but I fit them all in! Of course, I had to use Stampin' Up products given it's for my Stampin' Up demonstrator.

I backed these bright colors with the neutral Crumb Cake because my friend is much more about the earthy or regal colors so, although I liked the fun rainbow colors, I wanted to tone it down for her. I used a vertical stripe embossing folder down the middle just for a slightly different look.

Thanks to the team at Sunday Stamps for the inspiration so I can get a card to my friend/enabler before her birthday!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Stampin' Up Sunshine Vibes, Wanted to Say

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Peach Pie, Daffodil Delight, Fresh Freesia, Coastal Cabana

Other: Stampin' Up Tinsel Gems Three-Pack, Stripes embossing folder

Just Us Girls: Divine Peony

I'm playing along with the Just Us Girls Floral Die Week using the absolutely gorgeous Simon Says Stamp Divine Peony.

On this post, I created a card for my MIL's 90th birthday but I was doubting myself. I love the card and it's the cheerful look that I wanted, but I just wasn't sure it was right for a southern lady's 90th.  I debated in my post about switching things up to red roses but that just didn't hit me right either. Then this morning, I was looking through challenge blogs and Just Us Girls challenged us to use die cut flowers. I knew I had to play along given I have more flower dies than anything else in my stash. I was flipping through my not-yet-used dies and I saw the Divine Peony by Simon Says Stamp.  My MIL problem was solved!!  This is exactly the look that I wanted for her card - not too cute but not as formal as roses!

I let the die and cardstock do all the work. There are so many utterly amazing samples out there using this die with sponged and splattered colors but that is simply not my forte. Also, I am not a gardener so I had to look up peonies and saw a wide variety of pinks with darker leaves so I raided my stash (going back to one long-retired color) to get the look that I wanted.

It is a very good thing this card finally came together because we are flying to Virginia on Wednesday to spend some time with her before the big formal luncheon on Saturday. She's been getting handmade cards from me for over 30 years so it would not have been well-received had I not had come with a card! Thanks so much to the team at Just Us Girls for the inspiration.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Waffle Flower Sweet Lattice Sentiments and die

Dies: Simon Says Stamp Divine Peony, A2 Thin Frames

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green and Gold Foil sheets, Taylored Expressions Cupcake and Toffee

Other: Stampin' Up Distressed Tile 3D EF, Studio Katia Gold Foil Pearls

52 Christmas Card Throwdown: Season's Greetings

My card is inspired by this week's sketch at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown.

The sketch first said wreath to me but I was going through my not-yet-used Christmas stash and very surprisingly, did not have a big wreath. But this lamp post and candle just jumped out at me because I imagined a soft yellow circle behind the candle. Then I was flipping through my paper looking for a beautiful night/snowy paper and found this paper that literally had the candle "glow" right in the paper so didn't need the soft yellow circle.

The Old Lamp Post and Melted Candle are both from Memory Box. I decorated it with some holly and small blooms from Spellinders Holiday Blooms. The sentiment is from the retired Stampin' Up Brightest Glow set. I didn't pick it for this outside sentiment but the set has 2 or 3 amazing inside sentiments in the same font that have the theme of "light" or "glow" that makes so much sense with this card.

A big thank you to the team at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown for giving me the inspiration to pull out this lovely die set!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Stampin' Up Brightest Glow

Dies: Memory Box Old Lamp Post, Melted Candles, greenery and flowers are Spellbinders Holiday Blooms

Paper: Whimsy Stamps Blurry Flurries, Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay CS and also in the Glimmer Paper Assortment, light yellow glimmer is from the Memory Box Delicate Pastel Glimmer pad