Hand Stamped Sentiments: Cardinal Joy

I'm playing along with the inspiration at Hand Stamped Sentiments using products from the Nordic series at Poppystamps.

Obviously there was a cardinal in the inspiration photos and that is what caught my eye given I have this Nordic Resting Cardinal in my not-yet-used stash. (There's also a Perched Cardinal facing the other way but I didn't have space for him.) Since I was going Nordic, I also pulled out the Nordic Holly Sprig and the Nordic Layered Joy.

The color choices also came from the inspiration. Red and green were clear choices but when I decided to do the "Joy" in metallic colors, I originally had golds out. Then I looked at the photos and realized something I really liked about them were the cool white and gray backgrounds which really made the colors pop - so I switched to silver. 

Thanks to Hand Stamped Sentiments for giving me the inspiration to pull out these fabulous dies.

SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Poppystamps Nordic Resting Cardinal, Nordic Holly Sprig and Nordic Layered Joy, Taylored Expressions Diagonal Stitch Rectangle Stacklets
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Poppy Parade, Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Pecan Pie and Granny Apple Green, Taylored Expressions Cilantro and Peapod, My Favorite Things Pineapple, both silvers are unknown scraps

Freshly Made Sketches: Joy

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Be sure to pop over to the blog because we haev a couple of fabulous new members on the design team!  Today we have a sketch by Karren and here’s what I did with it!

I love this fun "joy" and decided it was basically circular and would work for the sketch. I was thrilled when I stumbled on the paper that surrounded the "joy" with Christmas lights. From there, I just wanted to add joyful Christmas elements so used some candy cane stripes and candies and a background of embossed Christmas ornaments.

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

SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps (now Creative Worship) Peace and Joy word dies, Taylored Expressions Banner Stacklets 2
Paper: LDRS Creative Peace & Joy, Photoplay Brights, Stampin' Up Poppy Parade
Other: Simon Says Stamp Heirloom Ornaments Embossing Folder, Dress My Craft Carnival Candies, Imagine Sheer Simmer Stix

Inspired by...Christmas Trees & a Bunny

 I am playing along with the current challenge at Inspired by... (but see my caveats below).

I was inspired by the challenge at Inspired By but I took quite a few left turns. I knew right away that I was going to use the Heirloom Ornaments embossing folder to decorate the trees. I started out with rich greens and reds as in the photo inspiration but the embossing just didn't stand out on those dark colors. So I set it aside and waited a day. The next morning, I stepped away from the challenge picture and decided to go with my favorite lighter colors in a more frosty look. At that point, I was still using three really tall and skinny trees per the challenge but I couldn't find the right sentiment. One more day went by before this sentiment started calling my name as the look that I wanted but it required shorter trees so one more step away from the challenge. The final step away came this morning when I realized that I could easily add one of my son's girlfriend's favorite things - a bunny!  Even though it might be a bit of a stretch at this point, I definitely wanted to give credit to Inspired By because this card wouldn't have happened without them!

SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Stampin' Up Stitched Triangles, Impression Obsession Bunny Buddies, Poppystamps Merry Christmas Cheerful Script
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Granny Apple Green, Flirty Flamingo and Balmy Blue
Other: Simon Says Stamp Heirloom Ornaments embossing folder, Simon Hurley/Spellbinders Sparkling Snow embossing folder

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