CAS(E) this Sketch: For the Last Time

 It's the final sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch.  I thank them for the inspiration from all 405 challenges!! For the final sketch, they are doing a throwback to a sketch by the creator of the challenge, Jackie Rockwell.  BTW - she's also the designer of my blog!! Here's what I did the last sketch.

 

And here's the sketch.

I wanted to go bright and cheerful.  I also needed a Valentine's card for my 13-year old niece.  That can be hard age - my niece is definitely thinking she's grown up but she still has an impish child in her. I started with the idea of the two speech bubbles and a heart as the middle element but it just didn't pop.  So I browsed my stash for a critter of some type and settled on this owl mostly because it was sweet but also because of its bold lines.

Just for fun - here's what I did with the sketch the first time it came around almost seven years ago when I was on the CtS design team.

Thanks to CtS for all of the inspiration over the years! You've been a resource for hundreds of my cards. I will miss you.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Impress Valentine Words, Taylored Expressions Hoot Hoot Hooray Stamp & Die Combo

Dies: WPlus9 Hey Hi Hello

Paper: Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie and Melon Mambo, Taylored Expressions Candy Corn and Strawberry Milkshake, My Favorite Things Black & White Stripes 6x6 Paper Pack

CAS(E) this Sketch: God Bless Your Day

I'm playing along with this week's sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch. I had recently purchased the Flight of Fancy Sizzix set which includes a variety of "scribbled" butterflies and birds.  The sketch gave me the same feeling as the butterfly.

The glittery butterfly is actually from a peacock feather printed glitter paper. I didn't need the pattern but I wanted the rich color variations.  It was a gloomy day yesterday so the photo game me some headache. This card is so much nicer IRL. My butterfly is actually a richer color and the sentiment is a softer color. I'm trying very hard to not to obsess over my card photos.  Sometimes it feels like it takes longer than making the card and I'm not a fast cardmaker.  So I let this one go and I moved on.

Thank you to CAS(E) this Sketch for the inspiration.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Simon Says Stamp Tiny Words Faith

Dies: Sizzix Flight of Fancy Thinlits, Simon Says Stamps A2 Thin Frames

Paper: Glitter paper purchased at Michaels, cardstock is Taylored Expressions Poblano Pepper and Eggplant

Other: Taylored Expressions Garden Party Embossing Folder, Pretty Pink Posh Sugar Plum Jewels

CAS(E) this Sketch: Fresh Bouquet

The CAS(E) this Sketch post this week announced that it was coming to an end. I love this challenge. I was actually on the first design team...before life got in the way of my own cardmaking. I'll miss you all at CAS(E) this Sketch but I completely relate to why it has to end. Crafting is supposed to be an escape - not a source of stress as you are trying to squeeze it in between life's obligations.

They will be around this month - so I'm playing!!  Here's my card for this week's sketch:

The flowers are an older set from Papertrey Ink.  I've always liked them but didn't buy them until they were on their Blow-Out Sale so they are new to me.  They are fun to use with each layer and shadow being a separate stamp.  

The stripes are a Doodlebug washi tape.  Washi tape has been popular forever - but I'm not sure that I've used it much, if at all.  I do have a decent-sized collection, but I was actually using them for props when I was taking my photos with my cards standing up.  A few colorful rolls of washi tape was a nice accent.  I was recently looking at the drawer of tape, thought about throwing it away since I've decided taking photos of cards laying flat is easier - then decided I should try using it.  I can't say I love it for exactly the same reason that I prefer liquid glue adhesive vs. tape adhesive for general use - I need to be able to move the things I adhere around a bit until it's perfectly lined up.  Can't do that with washi tape or tape adhesives.

I'm hoping this has made it to the recipient before this post goes live. Today is her birthday.  Happy birthday friend!!!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Papertrey Ink Fresh Bouquet, In and Out Birthday

Dies: Papertrey Ink Fresh Bouquet

Other: Doodlebug Licorice Stripe Washi, Buttons Galore and More Caribbean Sea Doo Dadz

CAS(E) this Sketch: Nordic Stars

 I fell in love with Catherine Pooler's Nordic Stars set - maybe it's my Scandinavian heritage!!  I can cook lefse and krumkake and rosettes - but I won't touch lutefisk.  True to our heritage, my son is actually going to get a Swedish minor to go with his Accounting major??!  

Whether or not it is the "nordic" part, this stamp set is unique.  There are three-sizes of stars with different stamps you can use for the inside include snowflakes.  The set pairs well with Catherine Pooler's All Around Wishes - I love the look of the coordinating die.

A big thanks to CAS(E) this sketch for giving me the layout of my card!  This is their 400th sketches - wow!!  Congratulations!!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Catherine Pooler Nordic Stars, All Around Wishes

Dies: Catherine Pooler Wishes Word Die

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana

Other: Pretty Pink Posh Holiday Mix and Sea Glass jewels

CAS(E) this Sketch: Thankful

I love the current sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch. There's a big bouquet and the sketch has a transparent overlay so you can see all of the details.  I don't do a lot of big stamps but I have a set I've wanted to use with a big bouquet.  Then I flipped through my sentiment dies, saw two other dies I hadn't used it and went in an entirely different direction.  I always have to embrace inspiration when it hits because sometimes that mojo takes a long vacation!!   (Never fear - the big bouquet is on my FMS card for tomorrow!)

I think these two dies from Poppystamps and Memory Box are stunning.  The Poppystamps Gentle Leaf Collage is retired; however, my go-to for older dies (and brand new!) is starlitstudio and it is there as I type this. It's such a graceful set of leaves.  I first fell in love with it on this card. It's an entirely different look and it made me think it would be perfect for sympathy cards. 

The sentiment is from Memory Box and is part of the Jotted Script series of dies.  I love the bold look and have a number of them.

I added a little sparkle to the sentiment to make it pop.  And if can't see it well, the little brown pieces are brushed metallic so give it even more shine.

Thanks to CAS(E) this Sketch for the inspiration!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Poppystamps Gentle Leaf Collage, Memory Box Thankful Jotted Script

Other: Simon Says Stamp Autumn Leaves sequins, Tsukineko Sparkle Shimmer Stix

CAS(E) this Sketch: Hello There

 I was intrigued by the current sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch not only by the trio of elements but also by the sentiment placed in the lower portion of the panel.  I paged through my stash for a "trio" but came up with two different die sets that I had not used and I love the way they work together!

I waited forever for that bird die.  It came out before the pandemic and quarantine and then it was out-of-stock everywhere for a very long time. I'm glad I kept looking because he's very sweet. I didn't do a great job putting him together. You can see that the top layer is a bit off-kilter but I don't notice until the photograph.  On the other hand, I deliberately did the flower off-kilter.  The layers actually line up but I liked a hint of the darker along the edges.  

Thanks to CtS for the inspiration!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: WPlus9 Strictly Sentiments 2, Taylored Expressions Shiplap Background

Dies: WPlus9 Blue Bird and Spring Florals

Other: Studio Katia Bluebell Pearls

CtS and Inspired by: Turtley Awesome

 I have collected a large number of Poppystamps' Whittle collection, both dies and stamps.  I love them for their quirky look and punny sentiments.  They are fun for my college-aged sons because they are cute but not necessarily cutesy.  So when Inspired By challenge announced their "punny" challenge, of course I had to play along.  Then when I got the sentiment out that I wanted and started planning the card, I was helped along by the sketch CAS(E) this Sketch. It gave me a chance to do some fun stripes and give my little turtle some ground.

As soon as I added the glittery water and the gems, this card is no longer for either of my sons.  They take great offense at "bling" on their cards. If you've seen many of my cards, you know I don't use a lot of bling, but I love three little sequins/gems to highlight the sentiment.  When I try to do a masculine card for my boys without any bling at all, the sentiment just seems empty. So after I changed from plain blue cardstock to sparkly blue water, I figured I might as well throw caution to the wind and add my gems around the sentiment. 

Thank you to CAS(E) this Sketch and the Inspired By Challenge for inspiring me to get out this cute little turtle.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Poppystamps Whittle Everyday

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Turtle, Whittle Mounds and Orchard Leaves

CAS(E) this Sketch: Happy Birthday Blend

I was flipping through my unused stamps looking for an idea for a gentlemen at work.  I saw this bold happy birthday and remembered the current sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch. It inspired me to add this bold sentiment along the bottom with one little image - although I did not totally follow the sketch because I did not put it off the edge.


This is an older stamp set from My Favorite Things that is new-to-me. I got it specifically for easy cards especially for guys.  It is super quick to use, especially in just two colors, and it adds interest without being frilly.  Thank goodness for easy stamps and for sketch inspiration because I needed this card really quickly. Working from home has me totally off-kilter; I hadn't even realized it was June and there's a gentlemen at the office with a June 1 birthday.  Oops!
I went an entirely different direction the first time this sketch was around - and I even went off the edge!  Here's my autumn card with a big golden leaf.

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: My Favorite Things Happy Birthday Blends
Dies: Taylored Expressions Little Bits Present
Other: Pretty Pink Posh Silver Stars

CtS and Poppystamps: Hallelujah

I pulled this sweet angel out to play along with the challenge at Poppystamps: Winged Things.  I thought it was a unique take on something with wings!  But the challenge is getting close to being over and I hadn't done anything yet.  As I was sipping my first coffee this morning, I realized that the sketch challenge at CAS(E) this Sketch worked beautifully for it - but it ended in an hour.  I don't usually do cards in an hour - even the simplest cards. In fact, I sometimes spend an hour on the photo!!  But it can be good for me to work quickly and not stress.  Are there things I would do differently on this card given a few more hours!?  Yes.  But I have a lovely angel and another Christmas card made!  Now the challenge closes in three minutes - so no more words!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Memory Box Bold Christmas Greetings
Dies: Poppystamps Pinpoint Angel, Memory Box Bold Christmas Greetings die set, Altenew Dotted Swirls Debossing Cover Die
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Petal Pink, Memory Box Fairy Sugar Glitter Paper Pad
Other: Pretty Pink Posh Black Gems

CAS(E) this Sketch: Hugs and Coloring

I want to send regular cards to my tween and teen nieces while they are stuck at home. They love to make cards with me so they have some idea of the process.  I saw the unique sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch and decided to use it a little differently that it might be intended.  Here's my card.


Notice how it doesn't look like I got the panels adhered all the way?


That's because I made the inside a coloring panel for her!!


She loves to sketch, doodle, journal and color!  I'm hoping that not only will this be a nice surprise in her mailbox but will also fill some time.
Thank you to CAS(E) this Sketch for the inspiration.

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Papertrey Ink Big Hugs, Taylored Expressions Color Me Background
Dies: Birch Press Design Big Lingo Type
Paper: Honey Bee Stamps Over the Rainbow
Other: Studio Katia Red Hearts

CAS(E) this Sketch: Back to the Beginning

This is a retro week at CAS(E) this Sketch and when I saw it was the first sketch ever, I had to play along!!  I was on the team at that time so that first sketch is full of memories (mostly of nerves wondering if my card would be good enough!!)  But my time on the team was absolutely fabulous and honestly, if I hadn't been overwhelmed with some tough college classes as I was getting a second college degree late in life, I'd never have let it go.  It's just so sad when real life gets in the way of this hobby!!!

Here's my card and the sketch.

I know this isn't the most exciting card that I've ever made, but I just got that tulip on a big sale at Concord & 9th.  It had been on my wishlist forever. I love the sweet and simple look. With some cheerful patterns, I thought it would work well as a happy card to send to my brother and his family who are going absolutely stir-crazy stuck in their home.  They are a family who travel at least three months every year plus lots of weekend trips - they do not sit around (vs. me who has to charge my Kindle very, very regularly right now with all the fabulous time I've had to read!) In fact they spent a month in Italy last fall, before their big floods and of course the pandemic.

Just for fun - here's my first card for CtS using this sketch.  I try very hard not to look back at my early cardmaking, especially clear back to 2012 but I actually don't hate this!


SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Concord & 9th Tulip Label
Paper: Sunny Studio Dots & Stripes Pastels, Stampin' Up Granny Apple Green
Other: Taylored Expressions Lemon Meringue Enamel Dots

CAS(E) this Sketch: A Bloomin' Good Day

I am thrilled to be a guest designer this week at CAS(E) this Sketch. I am inspired by every sketch from this group and by the creations from the design team. This week's sketch is no exception.

I love trios of elements. And I love that this sketch gave me a chance to use a bright patterned paper yet still have a clean and fresh card.  I had so many ideas for this card. I decided on the paper first - I love the bright colors, the cheerful stripes and the fun little polka dots. The look of the paper made it fairly easy to decide on the stamps. The Everyday Doodles and Punnies from Ellen Hutson had a style that worked well with the paper.  

I have a notebook of stamped samples of all of my inks so I can find matches (I am seriously matchy-matchy!)  I paged through that until I found the best matches for some of the colors in the paper, although I did end up going darker on the leaves when I realized they would be on top of the green stripe. Then I popped the images at various heights.  I find that a little dimension is a simple way to add interest. Often before I put a card together and it's just laid out on my desk, it looks boring - but by simply adding some dimensional tape, it comes alive.

Thanks so much to the group at CAS(E) this Sketch for letting me guest today and for the weekly inspiration!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Essential By Ellen Everyday Punnies and Everyday Doodles
Paper: Honey Bee Stamps Over the Rainbow
Ink: Simon Says Orange Peel, Stampin' Up Granny Apple Green, Taylored Expressions Guava
Other: Pretty Pink Posh Glossy Black Jewels

CAS(E) this Sketch: Easter Blessings

Yesterday's card included a die cut palm that I ordered from The Greetery.  While I was ordering, I picked up a stamp set that had been on my wishlist for a long time (with my love for it reignited by my friend Jen Timko who has used it a number of times in the last months).  Summer Sketches includes wonderful delicate flowers with stamps to fill them in and layer the colors (the flowers have two different yellows)


I was totally inspired by the sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch.  I tried to honor the sketch with those balloons going off the edge. I just couldn't cut the tops off of my sweet flowers, so I trimmed the card slightly and let them go over the edge.  I tried very hard to use a bold sentiment as is in the sketch, but everything I tried seemed too heavy for those flowers so I left the sentiment panel big but added a delicate sentiment from Ink to Paper.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: The Greetery Summer Sketches, Ink to Paper Just Sentiments: Easter

Ink: Taylored Expressions Granny Smith and Pineapple, My Favorite Things Pineapple

Gems: Pretty Pink Posh Harvest

CtS and Xmas Kickstart: Peace Poinsettia

I have a number of corner dies in my not-yet-used stash so the sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch caught my eye. Then I was inspired by the red challenge at Christmas Kickstart, particularly since one of the dies included poinsettias!  With the inspiration of these two challenges, here's what I came up with!


The first Christmas card of the year is done!!  And so quick and easy!  The corner die is from a trio of dies - Tim Holtz Mixed Media Christmas.  I used another Tim Holtz die for the sentiment. Then it still needed something so I checked out my poinsettia dies and found one with the same general look. 
Thank you to these challenges for the inspiration and the "kickstart"!!

SUPPLIES

Dies: Tim Holtz Mixed Media Christmas and Block Holiday Words, Memory Box Small Blooming Poinsettia

Paper: Stampin' Up Poppy Parade

Other: Little Things Glossy Berry Mixed Pearls

CAS(E) this Sketch: Hang In There

Yesterday morning, I wanted to make a quick card of encouragement for my youngest son. I went to a great source of inspiration - the sketches at CAS(E) this Sketch - and  realized the sketch would be a fun way to use some new stamps and dies that I recently added to my stash.


The new stamps and dies are the Poppy Stamps Busy Squirrel Trio and their Whittle Everyday sentiment set (plus I got a number of other Whittle animals to go with many of the stamps in the set!)  I knew I would be using the squirrel for my youngest son.  He's in his freshman year at a college multiple states away and even with all the big new experiences he's having - somehow he was quite thrilled with the squirrels there - "Mom...the squirrels are black!"  I think my "hanging" squirrel is actually just climbing a tree, but I thought if I put him off-kilter, he would definitely look like he needed to hang in there!

 (Poppy Stamps also has a Birch Stitched Frame die which is perfect for the squirrels and was in and out of my cart a number of times - but I looked at the sheer volume of tree dies in my stash and just couldn't justify it.)

Here is my inspiration!

I also want to credit the challenge at Poppy Stamps - Animal Menagerie.  Three squirrels may not be a menagerie, but if you saw all the other Whittle animal dies on my desk right now, you'll see I purchased the full menagerie!!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Poppy Stamps Whittle Everyday
Dies: Poppy Stamps Busy Busy Squirrel Trio, Taylored Expressions Birch Tree Border, The Greetery Sentiment Suite Basics die, Lil Inkers Stitched Woodgrain
Paper: Avery Elle Spring Collection

CAS(E) this Sketch: Joy and Peace

The wide open space in this week's CAS(E) this Sketch gave me room to do my favorite thing - a scene with multiple dies!!


These dies are part of the Winter Bouquet set from Honey Bee stamps.  I've been using the poinsettias quite a bit but hadn't used the candle, pine cones and other greenery.  I definitely wanted to build a scene like this before I put the set away.

The sentiment is from The Greetery.  I didn't have anything from them yet so I enjoyed a recent sale they had.  However, instead of getting any of their beautiful image sets - I got all of their Sentiment Suites and the coordinating dies.  I am such a sucker for sentiments. Sometimes I think I work harder at picking a sentiment than at the actual card!

This is the 350th sketch at CtS!  Congratulations!!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: The Greetery Sentiment Suite Christmas
Dies: Honey Bee Stamps Winter Bouquet, The Greetery Sentiment Suite Basics Die
Ink: Taylored Expression Pineapple
Paper: Stampin' Up Mossy Meadow, Old Olive and Soft Suede, glitter paper from Michaels store

Color Throwdown/CAS(E) this Sketch: Gnome

It's getting close enough to Christmas that I can't make Christmas cards just for fun any more.  OK - that didn't come out right.  It's all fun - but I have to have a recipient for each card that I make.  I didn't have a card for my oldest son.  I had made this gnome card for my youngest so I figured why not make another card with this quirky little guy.


I had lots of help with this card.  Color Throwdown gave me the colors and CAS(E) this Sketch gave me the layout!  (As I was writing this post and linking to CtS, I realized one of the design team used the gnome too!!  You'll have to check it out, she did some fabulous highlighting on her gnome's beard.)

I'm in pretty good shape for Christmas this year.  I'd rather be a bit further ahead, but I do have some fun new products on my desk that I'm excited to work with which is keeping me motivated.  The day after Thanksgiving, there will definitely be Christmas music playing and Christmas cards being created in my house!

SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Simon Says Stamp Gnome, Taylored Expressions Frame in Frame Cutting Plate, Lawn Fawn Mini Snowflakes
Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants Oh Deer!
Other: Simon Says Stamp Everything Winter Sentiment Strips

CAS(E) this Sketch: Big Wish

My brother's birthday is this week.  I wanted to use the same mountains that I used here.  In that post I described my son's climb up a 14,000 foot mountain.  His hiking partner was my brother.  He's a younger brother, but neither of us are actually . . . young. And my poor brother has had knee and back problems.  There was a long recovery period afterwards - I'm not sure my 19-year old son grasps how hard that was for my brother.

So for my brother's birthday, I wanted to commemorate that hike with this fabulous mountain die set!


I love this die set but have found it somewhat difficult to come up with a layout because it is so big.  But this card was meant to be after I saw the sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch.

The sketch left me all that wide open space for my mountains!  I followed the sketch right down to the sentiment being to the right at the bottom. I adore sketches!!  I kept it masculine but added some fun with the patterns and the border.  It's not a work of art - but it's one of those cards that is just right for who it is intended for!!
SUPPLY LIST Stamps: Reverse Confetti Birthday Wishes, WPlus9 Encouraging Words (the birds - retired) Dies: Sizzix Tim Holtz Alpine 

Two Challenges: Hogs & Kisses

I had two challenges pop out at me this week.  I saw them. I saw the card in my head.  You have to understand that I might be the slowest card maker ever.  The simplest card you see me from me is easily two hours beginning to end, often more. Luckily, I love the process - trying different stamps, different colors, different dies, then there's the choice of a sentiment!  I'm not a visualizer so everything comes out to try.  Those of you who hoard cardstock which cringe at my methods because at the end of every card, I just sweep the waste off of my desk into a trash can.

BUT - - I saw these two challenges, I mentally saw the card, and here it is!!


There's nothing fancy or new and unique on this card but I adore the images in the Tim Holtz Funny Farm set - they are quirky and wonderful.  I thought the stamp set would be perfect for cards to send off to my two college students when they (or I) are lonely or need encouragement.  I just took my last child off to college last week so I'm definitely focused on cards for my kids right now in all of the quiet time around the house!

Thanks to CAS(E) this Sketch!

And to The Paper Players.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Stampers Anonymous (Tim Holtz) Funny Farm

Dies: Lil Inkers Stitched Mat Circles, Taylored Expressions Heart Charm (a freebie with purchase)

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Sage Shadow (do you remember back that far?!), My Favorite Things In the Buff

Patterned Paper: KaiserCraft Base Coat Paper Pad

CAS(E) this Sketch: Stained Glass

I have been waiting for inspiration to use a gorgeous set from Altenew that's been sitting in my not-yet-used stash.  It's a big circular image - so the current sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch! is just perfect.  Here's the card...


And the sketch that inspired it...

The results from this stamp set are incredible - I love that all of that colored detail came with stamps, although there are some gorgeous samples on the Altenew product page that don't use the stamps but markers.  I used a cheerful yellow combo, but on that same product page, there's a beautiful sample using grays and pinks.  I love all of the different moods that you can get from this single set.


I didn't use a positioner to do the layers and the only one that I found slightly difficult to line up was the second layer of the leaves.  You can see it on my card with the greens going slightly off the leaves.  However, for this simple looking tulip, you have to stamp 17 times - so I wasn't starting over when the rest of the image turned out so well.  (Each color is two stamps and I counted the single circles separately as they are stamped separately.)

I work with someone who loves to garden and this is just the perfect style card for her.  Her birthday is in a few months so I'll tuck this away.  Hmmm...I can't remember the last time I wasn't pushing out a birthday card the night before I needed it!!!

Thank you to CAS(E) this Sketch!