Super Sketch Sunday

Wow, three Sunday's in a row I've managed to get the sketch done for the day! That's a record for me these days. Regular features around here aren't so regular anymore, and that's a bummer for me. I know it's even more of a bummer for you since you are the ones who look forward to my features! I just haven't been able to bring myself to do a Scrap Stash Saturday card in weeks, but I don't know why. I think it's because I'm not feeling so creative lately, and you really have to be in a creative mindset to make a Scrap Stash Saturday card! Putting four non-matching papers together is taxing on the ol' creative mind, that's for sure!

But I'm happy to say, today's sketch came together really easily. Not just the sketch, but the layout, the papers, and the stamping. Ya gotta LOOOOOOVE that! The image that I stamped was inspired by the very talented Debbie Olson. I was looking in the SCS gallery today for more ideas on how to use my Silhouette Blooms stamp set from CHF when I ran across this beauty of Deb's. I mean, come on. This woman has more creative talent in her little finger than I do in my whole darn body! She ooooooozes artistic ability! Seriously. Anyways, her card is where I got the idea to use the bloom upside down instead of right side up. Just imagine these flowers hanging from a wooden peg drying out.

Now, I know you're gonna look at this sketch and freak out because it's blocking. But really, don't sweat it. I just took a bunch of scraps (matching) and cut them until they all fit on a white cardstock mat. I'm not gonna hold you to this particular patchwork pattern, ok? Just do whatever is easiest for you. As long as you patchwork, and as long as you use four different designer papers, I won't disown you. {{{{Gasp}}}}}. Did I just say four????? Yep, believe it or not, I did. I have four different papers on today's card. Actually, it's only 2 different sheets of paper, but I used the pattern on both sides on the paper. So, really, don't hyperventilate.

It's gonna be ok. You can do this!!! Use leftover scraps, that way you won't have to cut into a precious piece of paper you might be wanting to hoard instead! And if you use scraps, you won't be wasting so many papers on one card. I know this "using designer papers" stuff is hard for some of you (because you tend to hoard instead of use), but you can do it. I know you can. And when you do, you're gonna love what you come up with!

I can't wait to see your cards peeps! Be sure to upload your them to SCS using the code SSS3, ok?

Hugs,
Amy

Super Sketch Sunday #2

I am having so much fun with these sketches! I didn't realize how much I missed it until I started doing them again last Sunday (thanks Charmaine!). Putting together a sketch and a card keeps me on my toes, I must say.

To make the sketch here at Heartfelt Greetings a little different than the others you'll find out there, I plan on adding one small, insignificant requirement to the sketch each week.....I'm such a meany, aren't I? Offering a simple sketch just isn't enough for me, is it? NOOOOOoooooo! I want YOU to love working with designer paper as much as I do, so each week, you'll be required to use a certain number of designer papers on your card, no excuses! This week it's three again, just like last week.

Here is my card using this week's sketch.....and boy, I wasn't shy with the colors. I like to go bold in the spring/summer months. Black paper with bold brights is one of my absolute favorite color combinations!

The sketch makes it very easy for you to see where all your papers should go. The only confusing thing might be seeing where the 3rd paper should go on the card. Actually, use your third paper as a mat for the main image. Also, for your main image, you can use a stamp or a photograph, your choice. I used a photograph of a flower that I took last April for my main image. I went CRAZY this weekend making cards with real photographs! I can't wait to show them all to you, they are beautiful! I must confess, there's really nothing special about the card designs/layouts I used, in that respect they are very simple, non-award winning cards! But the pictures....oooo-la-la, they are beeeeuuuuutiful! All the pictures I used on the cards were taken by me, last April, at the National Botanical Gardens in Washington, DC. Instead of junking the cards up with ribbons and brads and all sorts of stuff, I just let the pictures do the talking, KWIM jellybean??? Don't forget to hang a sentiment off your ribbon. I didn't put it on the sketch cuz it looked weird, but be sure and get one on the card somewhere, K?

The sentiment I used is a brand new one from Verve, from a set called Great Expectations. It was just released Friday (a few days ago), along with the other new set called Father Figure. Be sure and check out these two new sets over at Verve right now! Want to hear a little secret? Julee's having a SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's called the Verve Visual Star Studded Sale, and it means that every set Verve has with STARS in it is 15% off now thru 5/15! Not to mention, there is free shipping on all orders over $40. You just can't beat free shipping ladies. I take advantage of that WHENEVER it's offered cuz shipping costs an arm and a leg!

If you give the sketch a try this week, upload it to SCS using the code SSS2, ok? If you want to see the cards using last week's sketch, click here. They were fabulous, everybody did such a great job getting three paper worked into their card, I'm so proud of you! Way to go! Now we get to do it all over again!

Woo-hoo!

Hugs,
Amy

Super Sketch Sunday

Thanks to Charmaine, I am bringing back Super Sketch Sundays! She says she really misses them, and once I started thinking about it, I did too. I know there are millions of bloggers that are doing sketches these days, but I want to add a bit more of a twist to mine than what's out there right now. I am going to add one little extra requirement to the mix ladies!

You all know I love mixing different patterns of paper together. The more patterns on a card, the better (I know that's not everyone's way of thinking though)! Although I am not going to make you pick your papers with your eyes shut (like I do on Scrap Stash Saturdays), I am going to ask that you use at least 3 different patterns on your card each week! This is really easy since most paper manufacturers make their paper collections with numerous different patterns, but in all the same colors! Instead of using each one separately on a card, put them together for an explosion of color and textures!

Here's the card I made using this week's sketch. As I've done so much lately, I decided to turn to K & Co's Berry Sweet Collection to give my card a little bit of WOW! The sketch makes it very clear where each of your patterned papers goes on the card. Feel free to use whatever embellishment you want where the ribbon goes. I made another card using this sketch that I'll show you tomorrow, but in the place of the ribbon, I used Tim Holtz's Grunge Board instead. And you can either use a sentiment or an image in the small box in the lower right hand corner. On today's card you'll see I used both an image and a sentiment.... and in such a small box too! It can be done.

If you want to use this sketch and want to upload it to SCS, use the code SSS1 so I can be sure and see what you've done with it! A special thanks to Charmaine for inspiring me to give my sketches another go!

Speaking of Charmaine...can I tell you about the weirdest dream I had last night? Just let me tell you that I think this blogging stuff is taking over my psyche! Last night I dreamed that I ran into Charmaine at my LSS! I was getting on an elevator to go to the 2nd floor (don't ask me why I dreamed about a 2nd floor..my LSS does NOT have a second floor!) As I get onto the elevator, I notice this familiar head of red hair and familiar face (the one I see everyday when I visit her blog) and lo and behold, it's CHARMAINE! She was in town for a gathering of bloggers (of which I was not invited I might add:))! She was so sweet! The next part of the dream I remember is going with Charmaine over to someone's house to stamp....and do you know whose house it was? MISH-MASH (Michelle Wooderson)! I kid you NOT! I do NOT know Mish-Mash, and I do not know WHY she was in my dream! She has never visited my blog (that I know of), but I Google Reader hers! Anyways, I was nosing around in her studio while she was in there, but I didn't introduce myself (I'm very shy). I leave her studio to roam around her house for a little while. After a bit, I decided that I was going to go back into her studio and introduce myself. I went up to her and said "Hi, I'm Amy Westerman from Heartfelt Greetings", and she shakes my hand and say, "Amy, I know who you are"! I KID YOU NOT, this was a real dream!!!!! I was so honored she knew who I was cuz she's such an icon in the blogging world....and that she knew who I was.....I was thrilled!

I think this dream I had is HYSTERICAL!!! Can you believe I actually dreamed about fellow bloggers? One of them I know (Charmaine) because we are on the Verve design team together and she's a longtime reader of my blog (and I of hers), but dreaming about Mish-Mash (Michelle Wooderson)! I've never conversed with her via email, and although I read her blog all the time, I don't think I've ever left a comment, even though I {{{{{heart}}}}} her work! I will definitely have to leave both Charmaine and Michelle a comment today directing them to this post so they can have a good laugh too!! Seriously, have you ever???????

Well, this post has droned on long enough. It's time to cut you loose, if you've made it this far! Doug and I had a wonderful time last night on our anniversary dinner--the food was fabulous!

Sunday Surprise

I made a REALLY fun Christmas card the other day that I want to share with you this morning! It's nothing really fancy, believe me, but it just turned out so darned adorable, I can hardly stand it. And because it was SO, SO SIMPLE, I decided to make it a sketch so you can make an adorable card too! Remember my Super Sketch Sunday's?????? I stopped doing them this past summer, but once fall rolled around, I decided NOT to continue the feature anymore because everyone else seemed to have sketch features on their own blogs, and, quite frankly, their sketches were better than mine:)! I did say at that point though, that I'd share sketches periodically if I had one that was worthy enough to play along with. Well, guess what? That special day is here, folks! Yippee! Amy has a sketch!!! This layout mojo challenged girl has finally brought something to the table worthy of sharing with others! Shout it from the rooftops!

This is a sketch perfect for mass producing your Christmas cards this season....






















Here's the finished card.....isn't Mr. Snowman adorable? I did something I've never done with my snowman stamp before and that was to paper piece him. Couldn't you just SCREAM with delight seeing his adorable little Figgy Pudding scarf ???? All the paper on this card is from Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding collection. I bought a 6x6 pack of it recently and this is the first card I made with it. Even the white of Mr. Snowman's body is Figgy Pudding paper! I stamped him four different times, once for the red background, once for his body, once for the scarf, and once for his nose. Keep in mind, I don't use the full image each time I stamp him on a piece of paper. For the nose, I just stamped his little face, and for the scarf, I just stamped the scarf area. This paper makes me so happy, it's so cheerful and bright, isn't it? If you happen to like the sketch and make a card using the layout, be sure and send me a link so I can see what you've done with it, k? Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Hugs,
Amy

Super Sketch Sunday #18

Sorry the sketch is late today! Our internet was down this morning so I was unable to post today's sketch until after I got home from our baseball game (big tournament this weekend!). When I got home, thankfully it was working again!

I tried something a little different for today. Instead of making the card first and then drawing the sketch based on the card, I make the sketch first and then made the card. Sort of how you guys do it. You see my sketch and then you base your card off the sketch. Usually I just do it the opposite. It has always been easier for me to make the card first, because I never, ever plan my cards in advance. I just sit down in my chair and pray mojo takes over! It was actually WAY easier to do it this way. It kind of took the pressure off me to "create" a really cool card for the sketch. This way, I had the sketch planned and finished in Photoshop in less than 3 minutes and then I just had to follow it while making my card! I'll definitely have to do it this way in the future!

I've been so busy lately, I decided to make this a really easy sketch for you to work on. Once I chose my papers, it went together lickity-split! For the background paper, I dug into my Scarlet Letter Basic Grey collection.

The first panel on the card is a coordinating piece of Basic Grey paper from the same collection. The second panel, the image panel, was made using my Fancy Pants Pollen stamp set for the flourishes. The sentiment is from Happy Harmony. The two squares in the corners is just Real Red cardstock. This will be a sketch you can use time and time again for quick cards. I hope you like it and I hope I see lots of people giving it a try.

Well, I'm off to try and get some stamping done. Hubster is going to visit his mom (Muriel is talking somewhat, but is VERY delusional. Yesterday she was ranting about my husband and how he was running the training camp for the MN Vikings. He was BMIC (Big Man in Charge)! Yikes! She was also talking about being worried about her "knee surgery" and about how she was going to be able to keep her balance. She's really out there, I'm afraid. She's never had knee surgery, nor are there any plans for a future knee surgery! At least she's talking, though. It is my feeling that she is delusional from the medication (she is on Delodid...not sure of the spelling though). It is the strongest street drug out there. It often makes patients delusional when they take it. I was on an IV drip with it once and I went into tachycardia (super fast heartbeat, sweats, nauseous, etc) because they dripped it too fast. I live in one of the best states/cities for medical care, and they do this to me? Yikes. Anyways, her primary care physician visited with her yesterday and told hubby's dad that it would be a slow, long road till she's fully recovered. So, needless to say, she still needs your prayers and good wishes!

Super Sketch Sunday #17

I'm back on track! Whew. It's so hard to merge back into "life" after a vacation, isn't it? I feel like I've finally gotten back on track again. I've been able to establish my routine, and that's such a good thing!

Speaking of routine.....here is today's 17th sketch! Can you believe I've done this 17 times now? It's been so much fun creating sketches. It really stretches me in ways I didn't think possible for myself. I encourage those of you who read my blog to try and create a sketch yourself. You don't need any fancy graphics program. The first few sketches I created I drew by hand!

Yesterday I was able to sit down and get down to business at the stamp table. It was a little hard, I must confess. There were a few trials and errors along the way. Finally I was able to come up with this little ditty to share with you, so I hope you enjoy it and actually make some cards with the sketch.

I started out with a card base of Rose Red, one of my favorite SU colors. I can't wait to see the new SU colors, especially the pomogranate! I matted a piece of pink polka dot designer paper (MME, Tres Jolie) with Old Olive cardstock and placed it on top of the Rose Red base. Next, I matted a scrap piece of Scenic Route designer paper with some Old Olive cardstock as well. This piece was adhered to the front of the card right in the center, on top of the pink polka dot paper.

To make the fish image, I used the scalloped edge of my oval punch to make the "water". I just used the oval scallop as a mask and right below it I sponged a mixture of Old Olive and Ballet Blue ink. I didn't want to make the water totally blue because there isn't any blue anywhere else on the card. I stamped the fish so it looks like he's jumping out of the water. I bought the fish on my stop in Duluth, MN last week while on vacation. The store I bought it at is called the Stampin' Post, and it's definitely a "must stop and see" if you are ever in the area! Not the "prettiest" store, but she has tons of stuff in there! The fishy stamp is from Hero Arts, and I was able to purchase another one as well. The little splashes coming out of the water are hand drawn. The fish is colored using my aquapainter and Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive inks.

I matted the fish image using my scallop circle punch and some green polka dot designer paper (MME, Tres Jolie) to match the pink polka dot paper. It is adhered to the front of the card using foam tape.

The sentiment is from Very Puny, and it you'll notice, I attached it to the card using a wire "fish hook" I made from some craft wire. A piece of pink yarn is attached to the hook to simulate fishing line and is adhered to the back of the front pink polka dot panel. Nearly everything on the card is outline with my Stardust pen for a little extra zing. It's almost time to buy a new set of these Stardust pens because mine are almost all used up! I love these pens so much!

The final touch to the card was the addition of some rick-rack to the top and bottom of the card.
When all was said and done, I like how this one turned out. I need to be on the lookout for "fish" sayings now that I've acquired these new fishy stamps. If you have any ideas on other sentiments I could use with them, please let me know!

I'm leaving you with a beautiful photo of the prettiest flower you will ever find in Lutsen, MN, along the shores of Lake Superior. It is called Lupine (I say "loo-pine", but some people say "loo-pin"). It grows WILD everywhere along the roadside. It can also be purchased at your local nursery, depending on where you live. It grows in different shades of purple, as well as in pink. This photo is taken along the roadside. We stopped the car and I hopped out to snap this shot. I plan on using the pictures on my cards. Every year we go up there, I look forward to seeing these beauties line the roadside, in all their glory. They are such a sight!!!

Super Sketch Sunday #16

I'm sorry guys, but I woke up crabby today! I hope it doesn't come across in my post....why I'm crabby, I don't know. Having my teenage children wake up at 701am nearly every day and then fight and pick at each other for the rest of the day could have a little something to do with it. I think I have the only teenagers in the US of A that don't sleep half the day away. Sometimes, just sometimes, I would be ok with them doing that. Ok, I'll be honest, twice a week would be greatly appreciated. Somehow, though, I don't think that's going to happen. I'm afraid they inherited my genes. I can't sleep late in the morning. This summer I'm going to have to do something to insure they don't drive me crazy by 8am.

That's reason #1, I think. Actually, that might be reason #2. I think the #1 reason for me being crabby is that I've been sitting here in my studio since 5am (see, I can't sleep late) trying to come up with an adequate sketch for today. I could not come up with anything. I finally decided to go with a card I made a few weeks ago and use that as the sketch for today. I am having a complete and total designer creative block. I did manage to get a few cards made, but they are totally "out" there and using them as the sketch for today might have sent a few readers into cardiac arrest. They weren't very "user" friendly in other words.

As I was sitting here struggling to come up with something I wondered if my problem is stemming from a few thoughts I've had lately about maybe not doing sketches on Sunday's anymore. I sort of feel like there are a million sketch challenges out there now, and people are: 1. getting bored with them, or 2. getting overwhelmed by how many they want to participate in but can't, 3. becoming just plain not interested in playing. Lots of you are still participating in my Sunday challenge, but I don't want you to participate just because you feel you have to.

Do you all think a little break from Sunday Sketches would be welcome here at Heartfelt Greetings? Or, would you seriously be upset if I stopped for a while? Please be honest and give me your two cents on the subject. I am curious as to what your thoughts are.

Ok, enough said. On to the sketch for today. Oddly, I think things have a way of working out the way they are suppose to. The card I reluctantly decided to make into today's sketch is actually perfect for Memorial Day, a day we dedicate to the veterans of our armed forces who have dedicated their lives to protecting you and me. We would not enjoy the things we do if it weren't for these amazing men and women who risk their lives every day for our benefit. A heartfelt THANK YOU to all of you for the ultimate gift you give to us.....our freedom.

The flag for the main image is from the Land That I Love stamp set by SU. I stamped it using Night of Navy ink. On top of the flag, I stamped the America sentiment, which is by Inkadinkado. I found it in Washington, DC (or a suburb thereof). This area has LOTS more stamps based on military and America than where I live. I loved this quote by Harry S. Truman. It is so true. I used my Cuttlebug for the textured horizontal strip right below the main image.

I hope you like the sketch for today. It's really easy and should be very adaptable to any stamps you want to use.

I am going to sign off for today. We are spending the afternoon with our best friends for a birthday BBQ. It was Mike's birthday (our friend) yesterday, and mine is Tuesday. Every year we get together to celebrate our birthdays together. They don't live far from us, but with kids, both families are constantly busy, making it hard to find the time to get togther. It's been a hard change for me to adjust to, because I used to love getting together all the time and hanging out. It just doesn't happen much anymore. So, I am going to work hard on getting out this "mood" I've managed to let myself get in. I need to open up the bible and put some perpective on some things, I think. And I'm going to be in a new frame of mind by the time we leave for the BBQ.

Hugs to you all,

Amy

Super Sketch Sunday #15

WARNING: This post contains Hero Arts bird stamps!! If you don't want to see any more of these dang birds on my blog, NOW's the time to turn away!!!!!!!!!! I just can't help myself!!!

Well, let's hope more people visit my blog today than they did yesterday....not one single comment! I think that's a FIRST!! Especially for a Scrap Stash Saturday. I think everyone was outside enjoying the spring weather. I know I was!

Ok, back to the birds. I couldn't stop myself from making this card the other day. The initial idea for the card was inspired by this card I spotted on SCS by Beth Thomas. I LOVED her card, but wanted to modify it a bit for the idea I had stewing in the back of my mind. I had the perfect sentiment to go along with my bird card, so I got busy turning my thoughts into actions!

I made the sketch relatively simple for today because I'm adding another challenge to the mix in addition to the sketch. Today, on your card, I'd like to encourage you to try paper piecing! My birds are paper pierced, and the technique is EASY and adds so much character to your card! If you haven't already tried this technique, you will love it!

Typically, when you do something like paper piecing, you want a simple layout. That's what today's sketch is....simple. This way, your paper piecing with be the focal point of the card! Go all out and really challenge yourself to do something out of the ordinary today! I can't wait to see what fabulous cards you will come up with!

For my card, I first started by painting a "grass" at the bottom of the card for the birds to walk on (Very Vanilla). There was a little bit of brown left on my aqua painter when I did this step that the grass ended up sort of mucky looking. Doesn't it look like he's wading through murky swamp water? Oh well. On top of the watercoloring, I added a few springs of grass using my Impress Stamps grass stamp.

Next, I stamped my tall bird image in ColorBox Fluid Chalk ink in Creamy Brown. On top of him, I stamped another of the shorter birds right on top of the tall birds back, to make it look like he was being carried (through the murky water!). To piece the birds, I just dug into my scrap drawer and randomly stamped each bird a few times on the scraps. Then I cut the pieces out and glued them to the images on the Very Vanilla cardstock. They are outlined with my Sakura Stardust pen, which I can't stop using! I actually outlined the whole body of the bird with the pen, including legs and beaks! The sentiment I chose, "Thanks for your support" is the perfect sentiment to convey the "help" one bird is giving the other! I LOVE THIS CARD! Is that egotistical or what? I hope you all know I'm not really egotistical....this card just makes me happy. Wouldn't the card be perfect to give someone who is helping your through a rough patch? Which for most of us women turns out to be every few days!

I want to share with everyone a few of the cards YOU sweet ladies have made based on some of my most recent sketches.....

From Kirsten @ Confessions of a Naptime Stamper.............From Cheryl @ Cheryl Stamps & Scraps....From Beate @ Fresh & Fun.........From Heidi @ Sweet Somethings.......From Charmaine @ Oodabug Alley....From Melissa @ Sweetie's Stamping....From Karen (aka KarenStamps! at SCS)...

From Kathy @ Doodles & Dragonflies

These are BEAUTIFUL cards!!! Thanks for playing along! Can't wait to see what you come up with this week for the sketch AND for the paper piecing!

Hugs to all,
Amy

Super Sketch Sunday #14

Good morning to all the wonderful Mother's that read my blog! This day is for YOU! I hope that it is a day filled with wonderful things, most notably, STAMPING! I'm sure that's what many of you asked for. It's not the presents we want, it's the peace and quiet we want in the bliss of our stamp rooms!

Unfortunately, I don't think that wish will be granted for me this morning! My son has baseball games at 8a, and then again at 1 or 130pm (a tournament). The boys lost their first game yesterday, but won the second! Wow, the bats were hot last night! We didn't get home until 1030pm, and were up this morning by 6a. Dad and son left about 630a this morning, I'm being picked up by another Mom at 745a. A tad little bit of peace this morning then, but only time to get this posted quick like. In fact, this is what being a Mother is all about. Sacrifice. It's what makes a Mother a Mom.

I made this card for Dad's Day. I bought the BBQ stamp on my trip to VA a few weeks ago. It's by Inkadinkado! Isn't it great? I don't have time for any details, as I've got to run and get myself halfway presentable for the game. The sketch is a fairly simple and easy for today, I wanted to go easy on you Mom's out there! No big thinking required for this one!

I hope you like it. I will try and post later this afternoon and show you some of the AWESOME cards everyone made this week based on last week's sketch. Man are you guys making some kick-butt cards!

Hugs to all of you special Moms!

Amy

Super Sketch Sunday #13

Nothing like waiting til the last minute to get today's Sketch #13 finished! I stamped quite a bit yesterday, but for some reason, layouts were not coming easily to me, I don't know why. It must have been 10pm before this sketch "came to me"!

I planned on using this sketch as a graduation card. I'm always on the lookout for grad card designs that don't necessarily "look" like your typical graduation card. This one could be used for either a high school graduation, or a college graduation.

The one thing I learned recently about graduation cards is that people don't actually WANT the year of graduation on the card. You see, I sell my cards, and I recently brought a bunch of grad cards with me to my SIL in VA. I had over 30 cards to give my SIL to sell to her friends. I had the chance to meet some of them,and that seemed to be the common thought amongst the ladies. No "year" on the card, because if they buy a bunch of grad cards this year, but don't use them all, they can use them for next year! Novel concept, I thought! So, I am going to refrain from putting the "year" on my grad cards, so my customers can get more bang for the buck!

Here is the sketch for today. It's a relatively easy sketch, but one that you can use over and over again. It does require the use of a rather large sentiment, but I would think you could use a large image instead and where the flowers are, use a ribbon. So many ways you can adapt it!

I'm happy with how the card turned out, in the end. But it had it's moments where I was thinking, "oh my God, this is not working....where the heck is this going to end up?" But my perseverance paid off, I'm happy to say! I was actually really worried that the card looked to "halloween-ee", which is always an issue when you pair black and orange together. That's why I added the pink polka dot paper to the center of the punched flower, to tone down the halloween-like color palette! I think it worked, don't you?

It was fun to use my sewing machine again. It's sitting right here in my studio, so there's no excuse not to use it for my cards! I purposely sewed the edges all curvy like that, which is something I learned from Julia at Belle Papier, via the sewing tutorial she wrote a few months ago. I went around the edges twice for a great look.

Do you want to see some of the fabulous cards that have been making using my sketches?

Here's one from Charmaine at Oodabug Ally. Charmaine has been religiously doing my sketches from nearly the beginning. She really is an amazing talent. I love all of the stuff she does. If you haven't checked out her blog, do so today. You won't be disappointed! Isn't this polka dot card amazing? This was her card based on last weeks sketch!!

The next card is made by Nancy at Nancy's Creative Mess. Everyone know's Nancy! She did a great job with her card from Sketch #12. Don't you love all those flowers? Flowers both on the paper and from punches (I think the flowers might actually from a Cuttlebug die...), gotta love it! Great colors!!!! Thanks for playing Nancy!

The last card I'll show you today is by Paula at Paula Ponders. She made her's using Sketch #12 as well. I love the Cuttlebug embossing. I haven't purchased this particular folder yet, but I might now that I've seen it on Paula's card. I love the Brocade Blue with the Sage Shadow. That's one color I don't work with often. The Cuttlebug flowers are a great touch! I have these, so I'll have to take those out today and make some!!! Thanks for sharing Paula!

Well, that's about it. I hope you have fun with this week's sketch. Be sure and drop me a note if you are able to use the sketch! I'm off to read the Sunday newspaper, one of my favorite activities of the day!

Amy

Super Sketch Sunday #12

I'm so happy to be posting today's Super Sketch Sunday feature! After last weekends wireless internet fiasco, we are back at it today! Yippee!

This is actually the sketch I was going to introduce last Sunday, but since we weren't able to do it, it is now THIS Sunday's sketch. Keep in mind with this sketch that I couldn't figure out how to make the scallop edges of the card on my Adobe Photoshop, so they appear straight in the sketch. BUT, the scallops are an important part of the design, so you might want to follow the actual photo of the card instead of the sketch. Scallops are mandatory:)!!!!

I am in love with how this card turned out! The colors, the layout...everything came together perfectly. Don't you love when that happens?

The main card is actually Bashful Blue cardstock. I cut about an inch worth of cardstock off the bottom of the front of the card. Then, I glued on a piece of Pretty In Pink cardstock and cut it with decorative scissors so the length of the front of the card matched the length of the back of the card.

To hide the seam where I added the pink cardstock, I glued on a piece of fantabulous designer paper. For the top of the card, I cut a piece of coordinating designer paper and cut one edge of it with the same decorative scissors. I layered another plain piece of cardstock under that and cut another decorative edge. This piece was then adhered to the card. (I'm sorry these directions are so confusing....I hope you are "getting" what I'm trying to explain anyways!).

For the accent flower, I wanted to try and make one of those three dimensional flowers that everyone is making these days. I'm not sure I did it right, but I like how it looks, so that's good! I painted two flower images from Best Blossoms with my H2O's paints. They are so sparkly! A pink button serves as a fun flower center.

For the sentiment, I stamped it on a piece of Whisper White cardstock and then punched it out with my oval SU punch. I don't know about you, but I typically stamp my sentiment FIRST on the paper, and then punch it out, instead of punching out the oval and THEN stamping. Then it's too hard to get it positioned right! If I stamp first, then I can position the punch perfectly around the sentiment. I matted the oval with Bashful Blue and cut it out with my mini scallop scissors. It's adhered to the front of the card with foam tape for dimension.

Isn't it fun? I can't wait to see what some of you come up with for today's sketch. Be sure and send me a link if you do get a card made! Here are a few cards that I received using some previous sketches.....

The first card is made by Teresa Raber....I love the square format and the perfect striped and polka dot paper! Don't you think this is a great baby card?

This card was shared by Paula Goff (Paula Ponders)! It's so pretty! I especially like the yellow flower in the corner. I need to find some flowers that size......I was looking at Archivers the other day and they didn't have any cute ones!

Thanks to all of you for playing Super Sketch Sunday! I hope to see more of your cards this week! Have a wonderful Sunday. I am planning on getting some flowers for the deck today, and MAYBE stopping by Archivers to see the new Martha stuff. Yesterday was absolutely GORGEOUS here, but I got sunburned!!! I sat outside watching my son's baseball scrimmage but didn't have any sunscreen on because hubster and son didn't put it in the baseball bag like they were asked to! Now I'm paying the price:)!!!!

Super Sketch Sunday #11

Are these designer papers not the cutest you've ever seen? They are from MME, their Tres' Jolie line, new this spring. When I take in all the beautiful colors, I think "orange sherbert"! Yummy!

You know, once I get myself started on these square cards, I can't seem to stop! Yesterday's card got me going on them again, so today's sketch is, you guessed it.....square. The MME papers translate perfectly into a baby card, so that's the direction I took. Making a baby card also gave me permission to use my new Bundle of Joy set again from SU.

I started off with a piece of Apricot Appeal (a new color for me) cut into a 4.75x4.75 inch square. Next, I cut the striped designer paper 4.5x4.5 and matted it with Certainly Celery cardstock. It matches the designer paper perfectly! Then I took the coordinating polka dot paper and matted 2 strips of it on a piece of CC cardstock, and then used my decorative scissors to cut a narrow border. I laid one of these polka dot strips horizontally and one vertically.

The sentiment is stamped on a large oval punch which was then matted on CC and cut out with my decorative mini scallop scissors (I love these small scallops, so dainty!). It's adhered to the front of the card with foam tape to make it pop. I painted Mr. Teddy (isn't he adorable?) with my aqua painter and a mixture of Perfect In Pink, Rose Red and So Saffron inks. He was cut out and then placed on the front of the card with foam tape as well.

The other day, I was lucky enough to discover the Sakura Gelly Roll pen in Crystal (I think that's what it's called, I threw the wrapper away), but oh, let me tell you, it adds just the perfect amount of sparkle to your cards! I know I'm a little bit behind the times with these Gelly Roll pens, but jeepers, I love them! I wanted to make Mr. Teddy shine a little on the front of the card, but I didn't think the Gelly Roll pen added quite enough sparkle to do him justice. Instead, I used another new metallic marker I got on Thursday night from my friend Ann, who's the owner of the scrapbook store I teach classes at here in my hometown (the name of the store is Memory Creek and is in Farmington, MN. If you live near me, you've got to go, her store is amazing!).

Anyways, the markers are by American Crafts and are called "Glitter Markers". Ladies, let me tell you, this is pure glittah, and looks gorgeous on your cards! I used it to highlight around Mr. Teddy's body, and he looks mahhhhvolous! If you click on the card photo it will take you to a bigger view of the card, and you should be able to see the glitter then! This marker is definitely a must buy!!! They give the ultimate bling, go get one today! You will not regret it

I want to take a minute to congratulate my blog friend Michelle Giraurd for being named one of the newest Dirty Girls on SCS today! Congratulations Michelle! She is such an amazing artist, and you've heard me talk about her before on my blog, plenty. She's so deserving of this honor. Be sure and stop by her blog "Twisted Chick Creations" and congratulate her today!!! Way to go Dirty Girl.

Have a wonderful Sunday. It's going to be gorgeous here in MN today, so I'm hoping to spend some time outside getting the yard picked up. We also have a baseball parents meeting at our house late this afternoon because my hubby is the coach of my son's traveling baseball team. First time ever. Should be an interesting adventure!

Super Sketch Sunday #10

Happy Blessed Easter! May the beauty, the joy and the blessing of Easter fill your lives with special happiness! He is risen!

Your favorite day of the week is here.....Super Sketch Sunday! I had a special request to sketch a pocket card for today....you can thank my blogging friend Kim McNutt for this gem!

These pocket cards are really, really easy.

Cut an 8x11 piece of cardstock into 4 equal pieces. Use one of these as the base of your card. It should measure 4.25 x 5.25. Next, cut a piece of coordinating designer paper 4 x 4 and adhere it to the base with some adhesive. If you've got a sewing machine handy, use it to sew the designer paper directly to the base card. If not, the adhesive will do just fine (you might want to use a stronger glue to adhere the two pieces together since you'll be putting something inside the pocket). At the top of the designer paper, I cut and glued on a coordinating piece of paper just to give the pocket a little more visual interest. Now you're set to decorate the front of your pocket.

You can see my pocket card for today is a graduation card! I've got tons of graduation cards to make this season, so I'm starting early! I love this new stamp I found at Archivers. It's by Wordsworth. I first took a piece of watercolor paper, sprayed it with my mister, and then painted on three different inks with my aquapainter...More Mustard, Real Red, and Creamy Brown Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink. When that had dried, I stamped the sentiment onto the paper with Jet Black Staz-on. I used my Cuttlebug number die cuts for the graduation year. Did you know you can cut through 2 pieces of paper when sending your die through the machine? For example, I laid two square pieces of red cardstock down on top of the 0 (zero) so I didn't have to send it through twice. This way, I was able to cut the 2, the 7, and two 0 (zeros) on one pass through. The only thing is the bottom letter or number get's slightly "wrinkled", but nothing major. Sure saves a little time!

The inside of my card is just a piece of Whisper White cardstock matted in Basic Black. Do you see that cute little graduation cap at the top of the inside card? I made a 2-piece template for the cap, which I then glue together. And that darling tassel? It's made out of SU gold cording. It's simple simon, and I'll tell you how you can make it too. I've taken a few pictures of the process so it's easy to see exactly what I did. Simply cut a small piece of cording (maybe about 2 inches) and tie a knot at one end approx an inch in. To the right of the knot, take a stick pin and start to unravel the cording up to the knot. In less then a minute, you'll nearly have the tassel complete! Next, I punch a small hole in the middle of the cap. I thread the tassel through the hole, and follow it up with a black brad. I try to pass the brad through the cording somewhat going through so it holds it in place. If that doesn't work, just make sure when you split the brad open in the back it covers part of the extra cording to hold it in place. You can always tape the extra down too. That's all there is too it! Wasn't that simple?! I glued a small portion of the cap to the itop of the inside card, and the rest of the cap is used to pull the card from the pocket! Can you guess what the sentiment is inside the card? "Hats off to you!!!" Isn't that perfect? It's ties in perfectly with the card! It's so fun when something comes together just the way you imagined it!

I do want to showcase a few of the cards you all made using last weeks sketch...this one is by Kim McNutt....and this one is by Charmaine (Oodabug Alley)! Oh my heavens, these girls are showing up my card big time! Mine wasn't nearly as amazing as these girls! You rock Kim and Charmaine! And I can't forget Teresa Raber, who also sent me the card that she made with last weeks sketch! Aren't the colors awesome? (those who know me know I'm a sucker for bright colors!). You do great work, Teresa! Thanks to all of you for playing the sketch challenge each week! It's so much fun to see what you come up with! I have to say though, you've got to stop showing me up with all your great cards....I can't be lookin' bad on my own blog, now can I???? I'm SO just kidding! You guys rock!

Well, it's time to head out to church. My oldest sings this morning at the 6, 7 and 8am services. He actually was out for breakfast with the choir at Perkins at 330am this morning! Every year, the whole gang of kids invades the restaurant for a traditional bite to eat before services start. They have rehearsal starting at 5am, then the first service starts at 6am. Needless to say, he'll be a very tired boy around dinnertime! Easter hymns are my favorite hymns of all....especially "Lift High the Cross" and "Jesus Christ is Risen Today"....

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia! Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia! Who did once upon the Cross, Alleluia! Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Happy Blessed Easter, friends!

Scrap Saturday AND Sketch Sunday

I'm back! I've arrived home in one piece from my Crafty Ladies weekend!

Lue, Sue and I had a great time being away for one night doing our thing. The retreat center is literally 10 miles from my house and about 3 from Lue's. I picked her up at 3p on Friday afternoon. Good heavens, you'd think we were leaving for a week with all the stuff we brought with us! We just didn't want to forget anything though, so we pretty much brought it ALL! Just so you know, I am the one with the baseball cap on (I literally woke up Saturday morning, got dressed, and started stamping, so I'm not looking so sweet in these pics), Lue's the one with the blue t-shirt on, and Sue is the best looking one of us all (cuz she was smart and showered) with the black striped sweater on!

I came HOME with 55 completed cards, but I made more than that, actually. I sold some that I had made to my girlfriend Sue (she scrapbooks and is a great customer of mine too!) and to one of the ladies that was an employee at the retreat center! I probably sold $35 worth of cards! Gotta love that, it paid for half the cost of the retreat!

Today I'll show you the card I made for Scrap Stash Saturday (which I missed because I was gone), and I'll also give you today's Sketch Challenge #9 and the card that inspired it. Hopefully it's not too much for you to take in!

Ok, so let's get on with it. Here's my card for Scrap Stash Saturday. It's really, really, really easy! All I did was stamp the small flower image from Doodle That all over the front of a piece of Rose Red cardstock. Then, I took a vertical strip of paper from my Basic Grey 6x6 pad (it was leftover from another card I put together at the retreat) and cut the sides of it with decorative scissors. I glued it to the front of the card. Finally, I took another small scrap piece of paper from my Basic Grey collection and punched out small circles with a regular size hole punch and then glued those on the stamped flower images to serve as the flower's center.

It looked sort of plain, so I punched three Whisper White circles (1 1/4) and three Rose Red circles (1 3/8) and stamped the flower image from Doodle That on two of the white circles and stamped the sentiment on the third white circle. All of the white circles were then matted with the larger Rose Red circles. To make the flowers stand out, I stamped them again, watercolored them and then mounted them on foam tape onto the white circles, so the card would have some dimensional qualities. I placed each of the three circles down the front of the card, on top of the vertical scrap. When I finished the card, I put the card to the side away from my other card stash because it was for Saturday's blog. But Carolyn, the retreat center employee (such a sweetie!) saw it and had to have it. I'm like "Wait, let me get a picture of it first for my blog!!!!" Then the cute little thing was gone. Poof, just like that. Thank heavens I brought my camera with me so I could take a picture of it for you guys!

Now.....it's Super Sketch Sunday time! I have so much fun with this challenge, have I told you that lately? You have all responded so well to the challenges I've thrown at you each week, I'm so PROUD of each and everyone of you that pushes herself to give these sketches a try. I have to say, the card I made for today's challenge is a favorite for me. Unfortunately, the photo I uploaded isn't great. Had to use the flash, so I think it's a bit overexposed! I made this yesterday near the end of the retreat. I'm amazed my brain wasn't too fried by then to come up with anything intelligent enough to submit for you! I think you will have lots of fun coming up with your own version of this sketch! Following is the recipe for the card. I'm not going to give you a step by step run down of what I did, because I think it's pretty self explanatory. But, as usual, if you have any sort of question regarding what I did, be sure and email me!

Paper: Crate, black/white double sided paper, Very Vanilla, Basic Black

Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White

Ribbon: SU Very Vanilla Organza

Tag: Cuttlebug

Have a great Sunday!