Freshly Made Sketches 386 Weekly Challenge

Oh, I love the simplicity of this week's sketch because we know the simpler the sketch - the more options you have for the card.  I was actually playing with some new layering flower dies and when I got the first flower together I knew what I was doing for this card.

Here's my interpretation of this week's sketch.

I love how this came out with beautiful flowers and rich colors.  I don't use dies very often so I was so pleased with the results.   I think I will start using dies more often...LOL!

Supplies used in my card:

• Pattern Paper:  All My Love Designer Series Paper by Stampin Up!
• Lovely Lipstick, Flirty Flamingo, Pear Pizzaz and Soft Sea Foam Cardstocks by Stampin Up!
• White, pink and gray cardstock from my stash.
• Party Panda Stamp Set (Retired) for sentiment by Stampin Up!
• Layered Colorful Blooms Die Set by Spellbinders from their Small Die of the Month Club
• 110lb Card base by Recollections

The Paper Players Sketch Challenge: PP439

This week I did the Paper Players weekly challenge.   Looking back through their posts, they have had some very interesting challenges and I'm ready to jump on board.

My 33rd Wedding Anniversary was on the 3rd so I was in the mood for Love.   

I always love the combinations of red and browns.   This card is beautiful to me.   Hope you enjoy it.

Supplies used in my card:

• Pattern Paper:  All My Love Designer Series Paper by Stampin Up!
• Lovely Lipstick Cardstock and Flirty Flamingo Cardstock by Stampin Up!
• Colorful Seasons Stamp Set by Stampin Up!
• Nesting Circle Infinity Die Set by HeroArts
• 110lb Card base by Recollections

Easter Cards 2019

There are four holidays each year that I make more than the normal 12 cards (mentioned in an earlier post) - they are Easter (~30), Fourth of July (~30), Thanksgiving (~50) and Christmas (~100).  My Easter cards are always Christian in nature.

I love to use a rich purple on my Easter cards as it represents royalty.  The hints of yellow, pink and lilac in the flowers makes the card feel spring-like.  This card uses a 4 x 5 1/4 inch white cardstock with an oval cut out by my Silhouette Cameo.  This is placed on a 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 purple cardstock.   All of this then placed on an A2 sized card base.   The cross is mounted on the purple with the white piece being popped up on foam tape.

Hope you like the card!

Supplies used in my card:

• Cross of Hope Framelits by Stampin Up!
• His Grace Stamp Set by Stampin Up!
• Vellum accents by Stampin Up!
• 110 lb White Cardbase by Recollections
• Arteza Real Brush Pens by Arteza
• All other cardstock from my stash

Ready for St. Patrick's Day

Well, I've been making cards for about a year and a half.   In that period of time, I've probably sent out over 500 cards.  I send birthday cards to relatives, close and distant as then get well, sympathy, just saying hi, etc.   I also have been with Chemo Angels.  This is a great organization that helps to provide positive support to chemo patients.  I send them cards and small gifts - something every week.

Well, to make a long story short (HA!), at a family get together at my mother-in-law's shortly after Valentine's Day, a niece made a comment that she had been going to her mailbox daily the week before waiting for my Valentine's Card.   However, I didn't send out Valentine's cards.   I realized that my close family looked forward to cards for all the holidays.  I decided then and there that they would receive a card from me and my wife on almost every holiday.   It's a core group of about 12 people - so not too bad.   

Thus the St. Patrick's Day card below:

I love the way the card turned out.  The card front is 4" x 5 1/4" with 1/2" strips spread out evenly across the card.  This was placed on a 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" black mat and then place on a standard A2 sized card base.

The large shamrock was actually a cut file that I used as an image and put on background of green.   The shamrock was then placed on a shamrock-shaped piece of gold foil cardstock.  (Had to have some gold in it.)   The shamrock was then popped up on foam squares.

Not hard at all, but I think the effect is great.   The greens and the pop of gold say "Happy St Patrick's Day!"

Supplies used in my card:

• Cardstock (mats): Black from my stash
• Designer Paper:  St. Patrick's Day by Leskas Digitals
• Happy St. Patrick's Day image from Apex Cuttable Designs
• Gold Cardstock and 110lb card base were Recollections.

Tuesday Morning Sketches 489 Weekly Challenge

I always love the Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenges.  This week has a great layout.  I always put my twist on it - and usually "man it up."  LOL!

The card is made completely from the paper pack Old World Traveler by Carta Bella.   I love the rich browns and creams, with the hints of a light blue.

Hope everyone has a great week.  Happy Card Making!

Freshly Made Sketches 373 Weekly Challenge

Time seems to go by so fast.  I'm back participating in this week's Freshly Made Sketches Challenge.   These are always fun because they take you in directions you may not go on your own.

I often like to start with a paper pack I haven't used at all.   This paper pack is Roxie & Friends by Photo Play - perfect for any cat lover.   I have a tuxedo cat named Pepper.   He is my shadow - always with me.

This card makes me think of him.  I hope you enjoy the card.

Sunday Stamps Challenge 196 SKETCH FUN

Here we are for another Sunday Stamps challenge. This time the challenge was a sketch.  Since we are approaching Valentine's Day, I wanted to touch on that theme with my card.

 

I changed my focal point several times, but ended up on the lovely hot air balloon.   This was a simple card and ended up very fun to me.   I hope you like it.

Supplies used in my card:

• Cardstock (mats): Black from my stash
• Designer Paper:  Dusty Rose by Cricut
• Stamps: Love Is In The Air by Brutus Monroe
• Ink: Merry Merlot  from  Stampin Up!

Tuesday Morning Sketches 486 Weekly Challenge

Today is my first entry in The Tuesday Morning Sketches weekly challenge.  I loved many of the past challenges as well as the work done by the DT - very talented group.   Here is the sketch for this week.   I love the multiple elements involved in the sketch.

The sketch made me think of the Farmhouse paper pack by American Crafts.  Here is my interpretation of the sketch.

Hope you enjoy my card.  I'll be back with another card in a few days.

Supplies used in my card:

• Pattern Paper:  Farmhouse by American Crafts

Update:  This card was favorited by Debbie of the Tuesday Morning Sketches DT.   

Freshly Made Sketches 371 Weekly Challenge

This week the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge is a square card.  I actually don't think I've ever made a square card.  

I wanted to have a Valentine's theme, but not the typical colors or shapes.   I definitely succeeded with those two goals.    The card ended up being 5" x 5" with rounded corners.    I love the simplicity of it.   

Supplies used in my card:

• Pattern Paper:  Busy Bee By Doodles First
• Cardstock:  Recollections 110lb Black Cover Weight
• Be Mine Bubble Bee by Little Luxuries Loft

Sunday Stamps Challenge 195 WINTER SOLITUDE

Well, this week I decided to participate in Sunday Stamps Challenge.   They offer different types of challenges every other week.   This week was a color challenge:

This was the first color challenge I have ever done...and probably not one of my favorite cards.   I was amazed at the colors I got onto the card, but...

The cardstock was just from my stash.   The tree is from a beautiful new stamp set from Stampin Up! called Golden Afternoon.  The tree is beautiful but didn't come with framelits and I really wanted it up for dimension.  I used my electronic cutter to "fussy cut" the image.   I loved how that came out.  Well, hope you enjoyed the card.  Talk to you soon!

Supplies used in my card:

• Cardstock: Tan and light gray from my stash
• Stamps: Golden Afternoon from Stampin Up!
• Inks: Grapefruit Grove and Basic Gray from  Stampin Up! and Versafine Onyx Black

Update:  This card was selected as a Top Cup by Lisa of the Sunday Stamps DT.   Thanks so much!

Freshly Made Sketches 369 Weekly Challenge

Well, I obviously picked the wrong time of year to start a blog.   The holidays took me out!   LOL.  I'm back and ready to get on a regular schedule of posting.

Here's the card sketch for this week.   Very CAS!   I wanted to make a card where the "paper did the talking."  

What you have to remember is that clean and simple definitely does not mean boring.   I wanted some exciting prints, so I pulled out a 6 x 6 paper pad that I have had for some time and went to work.  Here are the results.

I love the bright prints in this paper pack.  Although hard to see, there are vellum floral elements coming out from the top left of the sentiment/accent box.  Those floral elements create some texture because they are only attached at the ends to the back of the popped up sentiment box.   Hope you like it!   Talk to you real soon!

Supplies used in my card:

• Pattern Paper:  Farmhouse by American Crafts
• Cardstock:  Always Artichoke (Retired) by Stampin Up!
• Vellum accents by Stampin Up!