Get Inspired

Good morning!

I don't have a sketch this week. It's getting to be that time of the year where there are barely any spare moments. However, I saw this amazing card by Laura Bassen, and I was inspired!

I wanted to see what I could do using a few dies and punches. I created my main panel by running white card stock through with a star die. I did this 5 times, moving the die to achieve the desired placement. I wanted a few more stars, so I used a star punch.

I wanted a colourful background to show behind the stars. I blended Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Barn Door, and Fired Brick. I stamped a combination greeting using the hello Wplus9 and the superstar from a Verve. I popped up the starry panel using thick foam tape and then placed that on a black card base. I was totally thrilled with how it turned out.

Supplies:

Stamps: Hand Lettered Hello (Wplus9), Great Expectations (Verve)

Ink: Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade, Ripe Persimmon, Barn Door, and Fired Brick (Ranger Distress), Black Onyx (Versafine)

Paper: White, Black

Accessories, etc.: Star die (PTI), Star Punch (Stampin' Up!), Blending Tool (Ranger)

If anyone is interested in seeing a video of any of my cards or creative process, please let me know!

314!

Good morning!

Here is this week's sketch!

Here is my take on it:

I just got several more distress inks and I wanted to play with making a watercolour background. To make the side panel, I misted my cotton paper with water, then inked and stamped the stamps. I wanted a slightly softer look, so I misted the whole thing one more time, about 2 feet away from the paper. The panel is 1 inch wide.

The focal point leaves were stamped on Vintage Cream cardstock and fussy cut out.

Supplies:
Stamps: Leave it be, Through the trees (PTI)
Ink: Pine Needles, Crushed Olives, Forest Moss ( Distress Inks), Simply Chartreuse, Ripe Avocado, Pinefeather (PTI)
Paper: Cotton Natural White, Simply Chartreuse, Vintage Cream
Accessories, etc. Corner Rounder punch

If you play along, leave a link here:

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313

Hello,
Here is this week's sketch!

Here's my card:

In order to make the happy die cuts dimensional, I layered two layers of thick black cardstock then the coloured cardstock on top.
Supplies:
Stamps: Keep it Simple: Happy Birthday
Paper: White, Black, Royal Velvet, Raspberry Fizz, Taken with Teal
Accessories, etc.: Wet Paint Dies #1

If you play along, please leave a link:

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FTL312 Merry

Hey Everyone!! Hope you are all having a wonderful Monday!! Heres my card for this weeks sketch!!

When I originally saw this weeks sketch I dreamt of snow flakes…but I just got the matching dies for these poinsettias this week and figured I could use those for something a little different!! For the leaves behind the poinsettias I just used the larger image from the set. Just to add a little something more to the card!!

Hope you enjoy!!
Chera~

312

Hello!

Here's this week's sketch.

Here's my card:

I used a 1 inch circle punch and some sparkly festive paper for the circle element. I added a greeting from Tree Trimming Trio (PTI) with Fresh Snow ink on some black cardstock. Super quick card to make!

If you play along, please leave a link!

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Some Fun Halloween Cards For You, FTL311

Hi stampers! Today I have 2 fun Halloween cards for you. One is from the sketch for last week and I just didn't upload it on time. That was such a cool sketch and Natasha's and Chera's cards were breathtaking. Don't you think so? I sure do!

It's hard for me to get into Autumn or Christmas when it's still in the 80s daily and the warmest months in San Francisco this time of year. It's also when we get the most earthquakes and we've been getting a lot of them in the Bay Area lately, like 6.2 earthquakes, which are respectable. Even a 2.6, if you're 6 miles from the epicenter, look out. The last one was a rolling and a shaker earthquake. You have to live here to understand what I mean :( Harriet lives in the Bay Area so she's been rocking' lately too.

Anyhow it's time for my cards now. I do ask that you keep me in your prayers. I've had a right-hand wrist drop for 2 months now and I'm very tired of this. I have to wear a brace. I took my dad's car out the other day and almost screamed since I'm getting some feeling back. It takes every single everything to turn the key in the ignition. I drive a Volvo, so no key. The fob just has to be within a certain distance that I usually toss in my cup holder. To text, I had 3 stylus's and of course, I can't find one right now, which really means it's somewhere on this crazy messy desk of mine - but, I got the new iPhone 6 Plus. Totally dwarfs the 5 and way bigger keyboard. I'm very happy with it so far, although it's hard to cram in the back of your Levi's pocket since it's not long enough. If I put my cell in my purse, it's gone forever. Google "drop wrist" and it will explain it to you. I don't have the use of my right hand is what it boils down to. I used to love getting my hair done. Now it's mandatory. You can stop by my blog for updates or other social media avenues that I have to keep up with my progress, or lack thereof.

I want to let you know that this is also a very common stamper's injury. I'm hoping to make a video before next Monday to show you what this is all about. Typing does not do me any favors since I index finger type with the right hand keeping it in the drop position. Not good.

I do hope you like my cards. I do stalk your blogs to see what you made and what a talented group of participants we have weekly that are so faithful to play along with us. It's safe to say that we all appreciate you.

Thank you for visiting today!

I used all My Favorite Things on this week's sketch and all Papertrey Ink on last week's sketch.  

311!

Wow! It's October 10th already!

Here's this week's sketch.

I wasn't feeling terribly creative and had to force myself to make something for the sketch, so I ended up deviating just a bit from the sketch. The general repeated sentiment and angle theme are still there. It's not my favorite, but like I said I wasn't feeling too inspired!

Supplies:
Stamps: Keep it Simple: Season's Greetings
Ink: Blueberry Sky, Spring Rain
Paper: White, Retired SU! DSP, Blueberry Sky
Accessories, etc.: Organdy ribbon, glitter, echo park snowflake die

If you play along, please leave a link:

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FTL310

Happy World Card Making Day!! Hope you are all having fun creating!!

Here is my card for this weeks sketch! I decided to use the ornaments also! How could you not…think we are all in holiday card making mode now right??

Thanks for stopping by! Look forward to see what you create!!
Cherar~

Stamps are from Close to my Heart...

310!

Ready for another sketch! This one features ornaments in the sketch, and I decided to use ornaments on my card as well.

Here's my take. I pulled out one of the few cling mount stamp sets I own. I liked this one because of the matching dies. I wanted a non-traditionally coloured Christmas card, and I just love these colours together. Sorry for the less than great photo- now that it gets dark around 6:30-7:00, I haven't had a chance to use the outdoor natural lighting as much!

Supplies:
Stamps: Ornament Keepsakes, Instant Photo: Holiday
Paper: White, Black, Groovy Guava
Ink: Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe
Accessories, etc: Pool Party ribbon, thin sharpie

If you play along, please leave a link to your project!

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309!

Happy Friday! Time for a sketch! Here it is:

Here's my card. I went with a gold holiday themed card. I started by using some older holiday paper. I used the colours in that to figure out the rest of my colour scheme. Once I had the circles adhered to my card base, I really wanted the greeting to pop out. I tried die-cutting a few things, but couldn't decide on a colour. So finally, I decided to add a vellum overlay and emboss a gold sentiment on that. I have to say, I'm glad I did! I added a few sequins to mirror the circle elements and that was that!

Supplies:
Stamps: Big and Bold Holiday Wishes
Paper: White, Retired Stampin' Up! DSP, Vellum
Accessories, etc.: Sequins, Gold EP

If you play along, please leave a link!

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308!

Happy Friday!

Here's this week's sketch:

Here's my card:

I decided to keep with the tree theme, although I turned my card into more of a scene. I started with tracing the landscape dies on the soft sky paper. Next I stamped and embossed all 5 trees on the Soft Sky layer, so I would know where I wanted the popped up ones. Then, I added my snowy hills back onto the card. I stamped and embossed two more trees and punched those out. Those were added into the scene and the last touch was the greeting.

Supplies:
Stamps: Festival of Trees, Holiday: Inside & Out,
Ink: Silver
Paper: Brushed Silver, White, Soft Sky, Not Quite Navy
Accessories, etc.: In the Meadow dies, Tree Punch, Silver embossing powder, Rhinestone

If you play along, please leave a link!

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thanks a bunch FTL307

In the midst of my chaotic life, (currently trying to sell my house so the craft room along with everything else has to be in tip top shape!)  I found a moment to do this weeks sketch!!!

It came together pretty quick with this weeks awesome sketch!!! Hope you all play along too!!!
Have a great day!
Chera~

307

Good morning!

Sorry for the delay! I made the sketch a bit late, and then I only had time to make my card late last night.

Here's the sketch:

Here's my card:

I stamped the leaves on a 3-1/4x5-1/2 panel. Next I added the sentiment and then I punched out little orange flowers and added those in. I find that even though these flowers are small, they are a little too plain, so I jazzed them up with small black rhinestones. I thought I'd bring in a little more black and added a slim panel between the green and the white papers.

Supplies:
Stamps: Turning A New Leaf, Keep It Simple: Birthday
Ink: Simply Chartreuse, Ripe Avocado, Black
Paper: Simply Chartreuse, Black, White, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories, etc.: Black Rhinestones, Three Flower Punch

If you play along, please leave a link:

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306!

Happy Friday!

Here is this week's sketch:

Here is my take on it!

I was having fun with these circle scribbles and making my own stamped background paper. Getting the look was quite simple- I stamped the circle scribbles with distress ink (Peacock Feathers) on cardstock. Then I spritzed the paper several times. I let that sit a bit and really get worked into the stamped images. Then I dabbed off the excess water, dried the paper using a heat gun and repeated the whole process. I adhered that layer to a layer of Smokey Shadow. Next I added a small scalloped border using aqua mist. The final few steps were placing everything on a teal card front and adding a die-cut Happy Birthday sentiment over my background.

I encourage you to have fun making some background paper. Don't be afraid to make a slight mess! Get out those distress inks, paints, or reinkers and see what happens when you mix water, ink, and some stamped images!

Supplies:
Stamps: Circle Scribbles
Ink: Peacock Feathers
Paper: Aqua Mist, Tropical Teal, Smokey Shadow, White
Accessories, etc.: Small scalloped border die, happy birthday die

If you play along, please leave a link!

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FTL305 - Thanks, You Made My Day

Hello! Heather P. here with my take on the FTL305 sketch. :) To create my card, I started with a light gray card base, and adhered a piece of turquoise polka dot card stock to the card front.  Next, I die cut a yellow heart, and white scallop heart, then adhered them together.  I then die cut the thanks from silver glitter card stock, and adhered it to the yellow heart before attaching the heart to the card base with pop dots.  The second portion of the sentiment was stamped in Versamark onto gray card stock, then heat embossed with white powder before securing to the card front with pop dots.

Have a great one!

Supplies:

Stamps - Thanks a Million (Whimsy Stamps)

Paper - Fog (Simon Says Stamp), Lemon Zest and Stamper's Select White (PTI), Glitter Card Stock (Recollections), Hawaiian Shores Polka Dot Patterned Paper (PTI)

Ink - Versamark (Tsukineko)

Miscellaneous - Heart and Scalloped Heart Nestabilities (Spellbinders), White Embossing Powder (Hero Arts)

305!

Happy Friday!

It's the last Friday of summer. Although I don't have any little ones to send to school, I am not looking forward to the additional traffic for my daily commute to work. Hopefully you find the time this weekend to enjoy whatever makes you happiest!

Today's sketch features a big star as the focal point. I'd really like to see people use a shape on their cards other than a circle or square. I've used a star. Some other ideas could include a large floral shape, a butterfly, or a heart!

Here's my card. I was challenged to make a shaker card, so that's what I did! I used a few star dies for my focal point. I filled the shaker with little star sequins. I didn't want the card to seem too plain, so I added a polka dot background and then finished it off with my sentiment.

Supplies: 

Stamps: Superstar, Polka Dot Basics

Ink: Ocean Tides, Aqua Mist

Paper: Ocean Tides, Aqua Mist, White

Accessories, etc.: Sequins, Star dies

If you play along, please leave a link:

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304!

Happy Friday!

Here's this week's sketch:

I managed to come across a barely used set of most of the Shakers & Sprinkles set. I am so glad I did, as this is one of those limited edition kits that I was on the fence about buying, and later regretted not getting.

I started with cutting out the Sprinkled word. I covered it with glossy accents to jazz it up a bit. I stamped the other sentiment pieces around it on the white oval piece. I used the other frame dies to bring more interest to the focal point. I added some of the floral sequins from the kit as well. Then I found a piece of paper by Doodlebug Design that went just perfectly!

Supplies:

Stamps: Sprinkles & Shakers

Ink: Orange Zest

Paper: Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, White, Doodlebug Design

Accessories, etc.: sequins, Sprinkles & Shakers dies

If you play along, please leave a link!

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FTL303 - Sweet Birthday Wishes

Hi, everyone! Heather P. here with my take on the current FTL303 sketch.  To create my card, I started with a white card base, and stamped a chicken wire background in pink ink.  Next, I stamped three balloons in yellow, green and orange, then cut them out with their coordinating dies.  

I then die cut the large Sweet sentiment in aqua card stock.  Next, I stamped the banner outline and birthday wishes sentiment in versamark ink onto gray card stock before heat embossing with white powder.  Once that was done, I fussy cut the banner and adhered it to the card front.  To finish up, I stamped the balloon tails in black, and adhered the balloons and die cut sentiment with pop dots to the card front before embellishing with pink enamel dots.

Have a great one!

Heather

perfect pear FTL303

Happy Monday everyone!!! I had a moment today so I thought I would whip up this weeks sketch card for you!! I'm so happy with how it turned out!! Even better then I had envisioned!!!

I had originally only had one pear die cut for this card…but with the sentiment thought I better add another!! I did a little water colouring of the pears and I just love how they turned out!!

Hope this gives your some more inspiration to do this weeks sketch!!!
Thanks so much!
Chera~

FTL303 Masculine Birthday Card

Hi folks! It's Cindy here, and yes, I'm still alive. LOVE THIS SKETCH! I love them all. I say it every week. I actually do make a card weekly but I don't know where my time goes. I had every intention of getting my tan on today and the next thing I know, it's 5 pm. It happens to me all the time. It's true that time goes by fast the older you get. I'm still unpacking and I look around and nothing looks different. It's been like 6 weeks since I moved and I haven't even turned off the PG&E at my old house! I know that Harriet is sitting there if she reads this calling me a nut and hollering, "Don't you realize we pay over $4.00 for a gallon of gas and you don't turn off your PG&E?!" She lives down the street from me which means about an hour in California.

Anyhoo…..I made this masculine birthday card using all My Favorite Things products from their July release of Celebrate You stamp set and coordinating Die-Namics, along with the Celebrate Die-Namics and Happy Birthday background stamp. I like how I got out of my box with the sentiment compared to the sketch. I'm quite proud of myself for doing that and even adding the background stamp to the "Happy" Die-Namics. I used Black Licorice, Fuse Green, Kraft, Nightshift Blue and Orange Fizz Hybrid Ink and some card stock. The base is Sweet Tooth. My bow is a simple bow that I tied bunny ear style using some Hemp by Hemptique. There's like 68 yards of this stuff on a roll. Seriously. And it comes with a price point of $2.99. I'm going to go to their website to see what else they have. This is my favorite kind of "twine" to work with. It's not too thick and not too skinny. It's just right. Very pliable and forgiving but tight when you need it to be. You can even use your bone folder to curl this stuff. I don't work or design for this company, but just thought I'd share my experience with you. It's very cool.

I hope that you like my card and it inspires you to make a card with this great sketch. Give it a try and have a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by to visit us today!

303!

Happy Friday!

I found myself needing a bit of a break, so there was a bit of an unscheduled week there with no sketch. Today however, I am back with a sketch!

Here's my card!

I wanted to make stamp the word "birthday" all over the balloon, so I did the unthinkable! I cut apart the "happy birthday" image. This allowed me to work at a much quicker pace than if I had to mask or selectively ink just the word birthday. After stamping that, I sponged ink all around the edge to give it some depth. I tied on a little bit of baker's twine and then I moved on to the rest.

I really wanted to use this stencil, but it's currently MIA in my craft room. So I decided that I wanted small dots instead. I scoped around my stash for small dots and came across the heart shaped dotty confetti die from PTI's Sprinkles & Shakers set. Perfect, I thought! By positioning the heart die cut carefully, I could control the shape of the sponged dots. It kind of resembled a rectangle and gave the card the extra depth I was seeking!

I attached the balloon over top of my dots, and used a bit of tombow multi to place the string exactly where I wanted!

Next step- I wanted a popped up sentiment banner. Now that I had that birthday word solo, I stamped just that on a small piece of Orange Zest. Next I die cut the word happy and then covered it with clear embossing. I pieced those two elements together and then placed those over the balloon.

It all sounds a touch complicated, but it probably took me just as long to write up the whole process as it did to actually make the card!

Supplies:
Stamps: Birthday Balloons
Paper: White, Orange Zest
Ink: Orange Zest, Summer Sunshine, Spring Rain, Black
Accessories: Balloon Dies, Happy Birthday Die, Sprinkles & Shakers heart confetti die, baker's twine, clear embossing powder

If you play along, please leave a link! I'd love to see what you create!!

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Sending lots of love FTL302

Happy Saturday everyone!!! I've been busy in my craft room today trying out a new technique called the Bokeh made easy and it really really is easy! Make sure you go check out the video!!!

Here is my take on this weeks sketch. I had so many ideas running through my head and I had a few happy mail days this week…but this is what I decided to share with you today!!

Hope you enjoy and have a great week!!!

302!

Happy Friday!
Hope you're ready for another sketch. Here's the sketch:

Here's my card:

I really like making backgrounds with this Ledger Drop stencil. I taped it down, and then blended the Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers, and Evergreen Bough inks to make a gradient pattern. I was hoping that the scallops would be of a similiar size to one of my many scallop die or punches; however it was not. Instead, I cut around it. It worked out really well though!

Finally, I added some ribbon and my sentiment. I was going to do a birthday sentiment (like normal), but my husband thought that the drops looked like rain and suggested making it a cheer up sort of card. I found this sentiment from Scattered Showers and thought it seemed appropriate!

Also, I like to take my card photos on my balcony when the lighting is decent. The evening I went out to take my photos, I had a certain kitty follow me out there, and then he thought the table was a good place to be as well. Here's Rocco!

Supplies:
Stamps: Scattered Showers (PTI)
Ink: Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers, Evergreen Bough (Distress)
Paper: Tropical Teal, White
Accessories, etc.: Ledger Drop stencil, satin ribbon, oval nestabilities

If you play along, please leave a link to your project:

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Hello 301

Happy Friday everyone! Heres my take on this weeks sketch!

With this card I did also did heat embossing over the word die like Natasha! Such a fun way to add a little bit more texture to your card! I love the shimmer it gives! Also did some layered stamping getting some extra colours then the inks I used!! 

Hope you all have a great week! I look forward to seeing your creations!

Chera

301!

Happy Friday everyone!

Here's this week's sketch!

Here's a photo with slightly more accurate colours!

Here's my take. I had fun using embossing powders on die cut words. I was really happy with how they turned out!

Supplies:
Paper: Harvest Gold, Bermuda Bay, White
Ink: Versamark
Accessories, etc.: Thanks die, bow die, felt, embossing powders

If you play along, please leave a link!

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300!!!

It's here! Sketch #300!

It's quite a simple sketch. I hope you'll use your large alphabet stamps, word stamps or dies on the card.

Here's my card:

And since 300 seems like a big deal, I had to do something a bit different. I've made a video showing the process. It's only the second time I've made a video (and the first one I made was 4 years ago), so please be kind :)



Supplies:
Stamps: Wet Paint, Polka Dot Basics II
Ink: Summer Sunrise, Lemon Tart, Spring Moss, Aqua Mist, Tuxedo Black
Paper: Hawaiian Shores, Spring Moss, White
Accessories, etc.: Satin ribbon, wet paint cuts dies

If you play along, please leave a link!

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FTL299 - Happy Birthday

Hi, everyone! Just popping in to share the card I created using the FTL299 sketch... 

To create my card today, I started by stamping three balloon images from Whimsy Stamps' Happy Everything set, then cutting them out with the coordinating die from the Party Time Balloon Die set.  I then stamped three balloon tails in light gray ink onto a white card base.

Next, I stamped three teal confetti burst images from the Happy Everything set, as well as the birthday sentiment in a darker gray.  The balloons were then attached to the card front using pop dots.  I die cut the happy from lime polka dot patterned paper using the Happy Large Word Die, then adhered it to the card base with pop dots.  To finish up, I embellished with clear gems.

Have a great one!