Freshly Made Sketches: Sending Smiles

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 was a little stumped by this sketch to begin with and I played with a variety of options including a tall candle, a street lamp and more. Then I tried patterned papers and a big sentiment.  (I "play" a lot with every single card I make.)  That last attempt had some potential and the pieces are still sitting on my desk to finish up for one of my sons.  However, in the midst of my crafting session a friend called and we talked for hours because a listening ear and "smiles" were greatly needed by both of us. Then I wanted to follow up with a card! This card started coming together while we were chatting!

The flower is one of the Fresh Cut Florals from Concord & 9th. I did it in a classic yellow - then added more cheerful colors in the stripes behind that perfect sentiment from Simon Says. The background die is also from Concord & 9th - it felt like sun rays but subtle.  

The card came together so quickly with the sketch as inspiration and was in the mail the same day that I chatted with my friend!  I LOVE this hobby!

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

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Concord & 9th Fresh Cut Florals Edition 2 and Stitched Stripe Card Front, Simon Says Stamp Sending Smiles Words, Trinity Stamps Modern Embossed Rectangle Stack

Paper: Stampin' Up Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody, Daffodil Delight and Granny Apple Green, Taylored Expressions Cupcake

Other: Pretty Pink Posh Valentine Mix Jewels

Freshly Made Sketches: Butterflies and Rainbows

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 have a basket of not-yet-used dies, then I have all of my other dies in neatly organized binders on magnetic sheets, but then there's the messy pile of dies that I have used but not yet put into the organized binders. I decided to get that done this week.  It was amazing, partly because my craft room looks fresher and cleaner - but also because I saw many long forgotten dies that I just had to use.  Today's card uses a couple of those - the rainbow and the butterflies. 

I popped the middle strip of the rainbow with a double layer of foam tape, then the next two on a single layer.  Happily this gave me a fun way to do the sentiment - it's one of the pre-printed Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Strips and if fit just perfectly from the edge to the yellow stripe.

This was a fun card to make and I'm still sending cards and "smiles" to many people so it will definitely get used.  I hope to see you playing along with us this week at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Papertrey Ink Rainbow Stripes, Memory Box Devyn Butterfly Trio

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Coastal Cabana

Other: Simon Says Stamp Sentiment Strips Thinking of You, various gems to match the rainbow

Freshly Made Sketches: A Hedgehog Smile

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 pulled out a not-yet-used die set. I love the dimension because of the two layers.  I cut and adhered the top layer three times to really make the hedgehog and his little flower garden stand out. 

The sketch didn't specify where to put the sentiment.  First I had to decide what he should be saying and I knew he had made me smile so that seemed appropriate. I looked though my stash for one that would fit in amongst the detail and this one by Gina K fit just right!

The paper is older. I planned on some really bright spring colors and even had it cut, but to my eye, it overwhelmed the little scene. I dug way back in my stash and found this paper with sweet floral colors and a big stripe but with a softer look. 

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

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Penny Black Hedgehog Scene, Gina K Smile

Paper: Simple Stories I Am 6x6 paper pad

Other: Miscellaneous Pretty Pink Posh Gems, Stampin' Up Subtles Embossing Folder

Pinkfresh World Cardmaking Day Challenge #7: Rainbow

 I'm playing along with the Pinkfresh World Cardmaking Day challenge #7 which is rainbows.  I couldn't miss this one - I have their Color Block Rainbow die in my not-yet-used stash.

I added a variety of textures, patterns and a bit of glitter to make this extra fun, although it's such a great die, it really just needs a beautiful rainbow of colors.  I conserved cardstock by cutting strips of cardstock so I could just cut single stripes so I didn't get ten rainbow stripes out of every color.  I would highly recommend not doing that - it would have been so much easier to just cut full panels.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Pinkfresh Scripted Bold Sentiments 1 ("sending")

Dies: Color Block Rainbow, Sending dies 

Freshly Made Sketches: A Hug and a Smile

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 had not yet put away a recent order - one of the new florals from Concord & 9th.  I saw them on my desk and thought I'd do three fun flowers for this card.  Then I got wild and crazy and put berries and leaves to the right instead of a third floral.  Hey - that's a big creative moment for me!  The biggest reason it even occurred to me was that it allowed me to add some more colors because I am loving this color combo!

Lately all of my sentiments have been about sending hugs and smiles - or just thinking of yous.  There are still so many people, particularly older people, who are essentially home-bound.  My MIL is on of them. She's a very active women, but is scared to be out and about, so is absolutely stir-crazy (but has mastered Zoom!!) So she's one of many that I am showering with cards. Not to mention retirement homes or memory care facilities.  These cheerful colors and fun flowers will be just perfect!

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

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Honey Bee Stamps Smile, Concord & 9th Background

Dies: Concord & 9th Freshly Cut Florals Edition 3

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Misty Moonlight, Bumblebee, Magenta Madness, Cinnamon Cider, Shaded Spruce, Just Jade

Ink: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Crushed Curry, Versamark

Other: Stampin' Up 2020-2022 In Color Enamel Dots

Fab Friday: Loving Thoughts

I let the Stampin' Up Sale-A-Bration set Thoughtful Blooms come and go, then after it went, I saw a number of cards that I fell in love with.  I loved when cardmakers stamped a large number of them and made a spray across the card.  Then I started seeing people use the different sized blooms with the same punch - such a fresh and clean look!  I recently found it on a retired sale and am thrilled to now own it.

My first card with the set does a spray across the card and uses the different sized blooms, just like I fell in love with.  I used the colors at Fab Friday because I wanted a bright and cheerful get well card. 

To make it even more cheerful, I added some gems in the middle of each flower.  The background is one of my favorite embossing folders - I adore the texture of the brick   The sentiment is a two-parter; the inside says "you'd be better already" and I added some of the small blooms around it so even the inside is cheerful!

Thank you to Fab Friday for the inspiration!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Stampin' Up Thoughtful Blooms and Sending You Thoughts (both Sale-a-bration sets)
Punches and Dies: Stampin' Up Small Bloom Punch, Tasteful Labels dies
Ink: Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Poppy Parade
Paper: Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay
Other: Stampin' Up Brick and Mortar 3D Embossing Folder

The Color Throwdown: Smile

I just received an order from a clearance sale at Spellbinders.  As is usual with me, I ended up with just a few sale items and a number of full price items.  I don't why I do that but if I'm ordering from a place I don't usually order form, I'm going to order everything I might want.  The little poppy bud on this card was on sale - the sentiment which is part of a larger set was not.  I wanted to make a card right away because I wanted to model my little stem on a sample they had before I forgot it.  I like the way the small and large buds are mixed and there are actually  more branches that the buds are covering up.
I did the small picture at the top because I wanted you to see that there was blue in the background. My inspiration is from Color Throwdown which includes blue and I was afraid you'd miss it on my actual photo! It's much more obvious in real life but after taking pictures in natural light yesterday and artificial light this morning, I just can't make it pop.  BTW - the gems are actually soft yellow ... same problem!

Thank you to The Color Throwdown for the inspiration!

SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Spellbinders So Many Sentiments and Poppy Bud, Avery Elle Double Pierced Rectangle Dies
Other: Pretty Pink Posh Buttercream gems

Freshly Made Sketches: Lift Me Up

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Jacquie.

I am using a set that I've had for a number of years - so many years in fact that the person I was going to use it for has gone from a bright-eyed child to a moody tween and the set definitely no longer works.  But it was sitting in my not-yet-used stash and I needed to let it see ink!  I do watch for calls for cards (are you all in the Because Kindness Facebook group?) so I'm sure this will be used.

I haven't colored in longer than I can remember.  Nothing fancy here - I went back to the early days of my coloring - I did a little highlighting, added a bit of shadow around the outside and called it good. I had SO much fun!!  I plopped on a few sequins as sun spots so it sparkles a bit more IRL.

I hope to see you playing along with us this week at Freshly Made Sketches.  This sketch really lets your creativity shine!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Simon Say Stamp/Clearly Besotted Lift Me Up (a limited edition Simon Says Stamptember release from years ago - no longer available), sentiment from an old Papertrey Ink set - Everyday Button Bits
Dies: Pretty Pink Posh Stitched Borders
Paper: Honey Bee Stamps Over the Rainbow
Other: Honey Bee Stamps Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Confetti

Taylored Expressions Sneak Peek 2: More Strips!

It's day 2 of sneak peeks for the August release from Taylored Expressions.  Today we are showcasing Thanksgiving and we are focusing on friendship. Everything you see today will be available on Thursday, August 8th. Be sure to check out each of the create team members' blogs for all of the sneak peeks - starting with the Taylored Expressions blog.

I'm very excited to tell you that we are adding to the Simple Strips series with the introduction of Mini Strips - Harvest along with a new Mini Strips die!!


I adore these sentiments!  I went very classic with this card using the previously released Simply Stamped - Leaves and creating a trio of richly colored leaves.  I carried the leaves into the background using an embossing folder.  Some watercolor sprinkles for texture and a few metallic sequins complete the look.


Guess what? The same mini strips set has funny sentiments too.  After I had embossed and cut the full set - I wasn't going to let them go to waste!  Gobble til you Wobble and Got Stretchy Pants led me directly to the chubby little squirrel from the previously released Fluffy Friends.


I surrounded this little guy with a variety of dies to create a big Thanksgiving meal.  I love creating detailed little scenes - and these all came together perfectly for this funny scene.  Just for fun - I used the Bead Board Embossing Folder at an angle


Here's a supply list for this card.  Keep reading because I have another sneak peek and a chance to win prizes!

SUPPLY LIST'
Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.

Gather Together


Gobble 'til You Wobble


Taylored Expressions is celebrating Release Week with a giveaway during each day of sneak peeks! Visit the TE blog to answer Taylor's Question of the Day for a chance to win one of the latest products before you can buy it!

Now for even more Simple Strips!  There's a Friendship set!


When I saw the "smiles" sentiment, I just had to bring out the previously released Build an Emoji.  I had so much fun building these three cute little faces!


There are so many different sentiments in this set - funny, serious, encouraging, thankful and more.  It's a must-have because it can add the finishing touch to so many different cards.

Tomorrow is Halloween!!  At least at Taylored Expressions! So be sure to check back!

SUPPLY LIST
Remember that the new links won't work until Thursday.

Freshly Made Sketches: Good News

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Cécile.

Be sure to pop over and check out the challenge because there's something extra going on this week.  It's a design team call!!  And everybody can play along!

I finally sat down this past week and figured out where I stood with Christmas cards.  I'm not as in as great a shape as I had hoped.  I did have enough to mail out already to extended friends and families because it occurred to me that there are a whole lot of people who have no idea we have a new address!  Now I have to focus on those nearby - many of whom are church friends - so I need to have a Christian focus (which is really the point anyway, isn't it??!)  Today's is actually going to be for one of my little nieces.  They are definitely being raised to recognize the true meaning of the season!


This is a new Neat & Tangled set in the last few months and I purchased it knowing it would be perfect for my two nieces.  This little angel is charming.

I pulled out some of my most brilliant yellows to do the background.  I used a stencil for the rays.  First I created a mask with just the center rectangle open.  Then I sponged the rays with a brighter yellow in the center fading out to a lighter yellow.  I removed the stencil, but left the rectangle mask in place - and lightly sponged the same yellows around the darker rays. 
SUPPLY LIST Stamps: Neat & Tangled Angel Wings Dies: Neat & Tangled Angel Wings Stencil: Taylored Expressions Here Comes the Sun Ink: My Favorite Things Pineapple (a wonderful brilliant yellow) and Lemon Drop Gems: Pretty Pink Posh Buttercream

TE Sneak Peeks Day 1: Skulls and Emojis

After a month off in July, we're back for the first day of sneak peeks for the August release from Taylored Expressions!  And it's time to start planning for fall and Halloween. Everything you see in the next four days of sneak peeks will be available on Thursday, August 3rd.  Be sure to check out each of the creative team members' blogs for all of the sneak peeks - starting with the Taylored Expressions blog.

I had SO much fun coloring this first card!!  Bright cheerful colors .... on a skull .... how fun is that??!


This is such a brilliant stamp set.  The Sugar Skulls are SO cute (and those are words that don't normally go together.)  You can make cards for the Day of the Dead and/or Halloween.  Or I think my card could actually be used almost any time!

The background is another new stamp - the Happy Flowers Background.  You are definitely going to have to check out the rest of the design team's use of this one.  I used it with skulls - others made beautiful floral cards!  I love stamps that can be used in multiple ways at multiple times.


The sentiment is also new - You Make Me Smile.  It's full of a variety of sentiments (see my next card) in a fun font.  I used the previously released Let's Talk Edger 1 with the Striped Background from our last release to make the sentiment stand out.

Here's a supply list for this card and be sure to keep reading for a chance at prizes and for another sneak peek!

SUPPLY LIST

Sugar Skulls	Sugar Skulls Dies	You Make Me Smile	Happy Flowers Background
Striped Background	Let's Talk Edger 1	Stitched Rectangle Stacklets	TE Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube
TE Premium Cardstock - Oreo	TE Premium Cardstock - Lollipop	TE Premium Cardstock - Cookie Monster	TE Premium White Pigment Ink - Sugar Cube - Full Pad
TE Premium Ink - Oreo - Full Pad	Lemon Meringue Enamel Shapes

LinkDeli.com

We are also celebrating release week with some fabulous giveaways! Visit the TE Blog to answer Taylor's Question of the Day for a chance to win a prize from the latest release!

I almost named this post "Smiles" because I had the smiling Sugar Skull and now I'm using an emoji.  But then I decided I wouldn't use a smiling emoji so I had to change the title!

Here's my card.  It uses the previously released Peek-a-Boo Circles die to frame my little crying guy.


This sentiment is another sentiment from You Make Me Smile.  This is a great all-around set.  I used the smile sentiment above.  Now I have "that stinks".  There's also birthday and thanks and get well and more!

Here's my card again but with the dies in the background - I wanted you to see how big and amazing this set is.  You can create an emoji for any occasion.  I couldn't count the number of mix and match expressions.  Plus there's party hats and bow ties and more!



My supply list for this card is below but I didn't want you to miss the exciting news about these dies! For a limited time, earn DOUBLE CRAFTY POINTS on our Build an Emoji die set! If you're not a Crafty Points member, it's free and easy to join. Just create an account at the TE webstore and you're automatically enrolled to begin earning crafty points with every purchase. You'll earn 48 Crafty Points on the purchase of our Build an Emoji die set! Offer valid on qualifying purchases made between 9am CST on Thursday, August 3, 2017 and 11:59 pm CST on Sunday, August 6, 2017 and only while supplies last. Crafty Points are only available on purchases made via our retail site: www.tayloredexpressions.com.

Tomorrow, I'll have some classic Halloween cards with cats, witches and ghost towns! Be sure to head over to the TE Blog for links to the rest of the creative team and to enter the question of the day contest.

SUPPLY LIST

Build an Emoji	You Make Me Smile	Peek-A-Boo Circles	Stitched Banner Stacklets
Embossing Folder - Corrugated	TE 6x6 Paper Pack - Build a Scene	TE Premium Cardstock - Cookie Monster	TE Premium Cardstock - Sprinkles
TE Premium Cardstock - Lemon Meringue	TE Premium Cardstock - Poppy Seed	TE Premium Cardstock - Sugar Cube	Lemon Meringue Enamel Shapes
VersaMark - Watermark Stamp Pad	Zing! Embossing Powder - White Opaque

LinkDeli.com