Opacity Adjustments

Hey there Monday - it's a card sketch today at MDS Monday and I'm presenting the sketch and a challenge.  Along with the sketch let's work with the opacity feature.  It can be used on any part of the sketch that works best for your creation.  You can create your own "washi tape" strips and "vellum" by changing the opacity of your element. 

I changed the opacity on my background matt - so the pink blends into the purple background.  Doing that also made the stamped images pop .

 We'd love to see what you come up with this week.

Here's the sketch.

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope your week is off to a good start.

Joan

Lined Up Thanks

Sorry I've been missing in action this past week.  I finished the teachers convention and then proceeded to get sick - my bodies way of telling me to slow down a bit.

It's a card sketch day today at MDS Monday and Tara is also asking us to get our ducks in a line by using the "Space Evenly" option in the align feature.  Stampin'Up! has a great tutorial video to help you with this process.

I love the space evenly feature because you don't have to strain your eyes to get things perfectly lined up on your project.  I've used  it for the little flags on my cards and for one set of brads - which I then copied and pasted to the second space on the page.

Here is the sketch…..hope you have fun with it and post your creation back to the MDS Monday blog. We'd love to see what elements you've got lined up!

Thanks for stopping by for a bit.

Joan

Musical Sketch

It's a card sketch day at MDS Monday and as an extra challenge, Heidi is asking us to add music to our card.  You can incorporate musical notes, lyrics, musical instruments, even birds.

Here are a few downloads in My Digital Studio that can help you with this part of the challenge...

• Natural Composition stamp brush set
• Modern Medley stamp brush set
• Newsprint designer series paper
• Music Notes stamp brush set

And here is the sketch…..

I hope you join us andd share your creation with us on the MDS Monday blog so we can visit your blog to take a peak at your project.

Have fun - have a marvellous Monday!

Thanks for visiting,

Joan

Watercolour Butterfly

Welcome to MDS Monday, where today we are working with Tami's sketch and playing with your choice of MDS Watercolour options.

This card certainly evolved over time.  I began trying to create a flower with a collection of watercolour brush strokes overlapping in a circle.  It worked out okay, but I wasn't that thrilled with it in the end.  I then decided to stay more true to Tami's sketch and laid down the large watercolour wash from "Beautiful Today".  I walked away from it for a while, came back to the computer and by accident discovered what a coloured wash looked like on a coloured background.  I think you'd be hard pressed to get this effect in real life.

I decided that a white Swallowtail would be the best addition.

Accidents can be a good thing - and easy to deal with on MDS because there is no wasted paper.

So, here is Tami's sketch and I hope you give one of the watercolour options a try.  Be sure you link your creation back to the MDS Monday blog so we can take a peak.

Have fun, and thanks for dropping by.

Joan

Follow Your Bliss Thanks

Woo Hoo - it's the first MDS Monday of the Year - and it's a sketch challenge from Cindy.  She likes simple cards with lots of white space, and I've done my best to stay true to that.

I love the "Follow Your Bliss" paper - it's so funky and the chevron stamps come with the set too. 

For the "Thanks", I copied  the image in place, sent it behind, coloured it black and moved it off centre a bit. It gives a different sort of look than the drop shadow….which I've also included.

I love that Cindy chose hexagons to work with - they're so much fun to put together in scattered arrangements.

Here is her sketch…..have fun with it and be sure to link your project back to the MDS Monday blog so we can see your creation.

It's back to school today - it will be nice to be doing things other than Christmas prep….of course I'm leaving Wednesday for Houston to attend Leadership - but it will be good to see my classes for a bit!

Hope your day is going well - thanks for stopping by.

Joan

You Make Me Happy...

The first Monday of Christmas vacation - and an MDS Monday card challenge - WooHoo!!!  Today, along with the sketch, Beth would like us to use tape on our creations.  I love love love wash tape - both digital and real.  I love how whatever is behind it peaks through.

I decided to "make my own" washi tape for this card by using photo boxes filled with DSP so that I could tear the ends of the "tape".  I then changed the opacity until what was underneath the tape showed through.  Easy Peasy.

Here is the sketch for this challenge - 

check out what there rest of the Design Team has come up with - there's some fabulous creations - as usual.  Also, make sure you link your creation to the MDS Monday challenge blog so we can have a look at your creation.

Thanks for stopping by - Hope your Monday is off to a great start.

Joan

Very Very Late.....

I am so very very late with this - almost an entire week.  I'm a terrible MDS Hostess this week!  I had everything ready for the MDS Monday challenge - I just neglected to post it to my own blog.  So - here we are working with flourishes these two weeks.....We have so many wonderful ones on MDS - take your pick and add some flourish to your creation this week.

Be sure to link back to the MDS Monday blog so we can take a peak!

Here's the sketch...

Thanks for dropping by,

Joan

Old School Christmas

We have a card sketch from Holly today at MDS Monday.  I love diagonal strips on cards, but rarely do them - they are easy peasy on MDS!

I've done back in time with one of my favorite Christmas paper series!  I've come to realize that I don't have a lot of MDS Christmas paper - not quite sure why.  But this was a favourite, so now I'm happy that it will never run out!  

I chose to keep Santa completely neutral - I do like this old fashion image.  He reminds me of the Santa from my childhood books.

You don't have to use the sketch for a Christmas card - as you can see from some of the Design Team members - be sure to check out the MDS Monday blog to see what everyone has come up with.  And remember to link your creation to the blog so we can see what you've come up with!

Have fun creating!   Thanks for stopping by!

Joan

A Splatter of Thanks

It's a colour day at Sunday Stamps and today's colours could be Sesaonal ....or not.  I've chosen to use them for a Thank You card, which I've created on MDS since I'm away from my craft room for this challenge.   I love our splatter option on MDS - no mess and a range of sizes and shapes!

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has come up with this week.  Remember, this challenge is open for two weeks...so you'll have until November 29 to post your creation to the Sunday Stamps Challenge Blog.  Have fun!  

Thanks for stopping by!

Joan

Bon Voyage

Good Monday everyone - Heidi has given us an awesome sketch at MDS Monday - and since Heidi likes the polaroid look, she has included it in the sketch.  A bonus part of the challenge is to create a hybrid project with the sketch - adding something, popping something up after having the card printed.

I haven't added anything on the my card above, but when I print them off I can add real brads or pop up the greeting.   I hope you try the sketch out - once you've finished be sure to post your project at MDS Monday so we can see it.

I won't be having very many posts this week - as I'm on a brief vacation in New York.  I'll share more stuff once I get home.

Thanks for stopping by =

Joan

Woot, Woot, Woot!

It's Monday - MDS Monday - and Tara has a fabulous, fun sketch for us this week. 

I thought I 'd get out of my Seasonal mode for a bit and create a fun celebratory card.  And woot, woot, woot can work for just about anything.

The design team has some great inspirational ideas with the sketch - both cards and scrap pages for all occasions.  Hope you have fun with this and don't forget to link your creation back to MDS Monday so we can take a peak at it!

Also - DON'T FORGET - today is the last day of the sale for the 25 stamp sets at 25% off.

Thanks for stopping by!

Joan

Just Be You

Welcome to a card sketch for MDS Monday....brought to you by Beth.

I admit it - I have a problem.  I purchase MDS downloads and forget about them or forget about all the "parts" that are included in certain downloads.

I LOVE the paper in the "Be Yourself" download.  I used it numerous times.  I only just now discovered that there are co-ordinating stamps and embellishments - duh!!!!  So - I used them for this layout!!

So I've ended up with a bright little card to celebrate individuality!  WoooHooo!

Here is Beth's sketch - the design team has a cards and pages created for inspiration.  Be sure to check out the challenge blog and to link your project back to us so we can see it.

If you are celebrating your Thanksgiving today - I hope it's a good one.  I'm looking forward to eating leftovers!

Thanks for stopping by.

Joan

Joy and woodcut snowflakes.....

    

We have a new card sketch for you today at MDS Monday - Rochelle has a great sketch for us today and an additional challenge to use an embellishment that you haven't normally used.

I seem to purchase a lot of the downloads as they come available and then I forget about them.....these woodcuts are one of those embellishments I want - and then forget about.  So today I've incorporated them in my project!

Rochelle has created  great challenge for us - because her sketch allows room for pretty much any embellisment you've purchased and then left unused.  

Remember to link your project back to the challenge blog so we can take a peak and see what you've created!

Hope you have a fantastic last day of September!!!!!!! I seriously don't know where the month went!

Thanks for stopping by!

Joan

Painted Swallowtail

We're back with another card sketch at MDS Monday and I am the hostess this week.  I have the sketch for you below, and my additional challenge this week is for you to use an oversized image that exceeds the boundaries of the large space....and use a stamped border.

Now I have to admit, when I created this sketch and my example,  it was the day before the first day of school, so I sort of copped out a bit and recreated one of my paper cards HERE - which I actually cased from Andrea Gideon's bleached swallowtail  HERE.

It took a bit of doing, but the colouring behind the stamp was done using the Free Form brush tool in layers.

I hope you have fun with this -  remember to link your project back to MDS Monday so we can take a peak!

Thanks for stopping by,

Joan

Cards and Mountains

Happy Thursday everyone!  I'm totally excited about the package I got in the mail yesterday......the birthday cards I designed on MDS using our school mascot.  All I really did was rework the Welcome Back card I created here......

I gave our cute grizzly a birthday hat and exchanged the apple for a cup cake.  There are 200 of these babies ready to give out to the children this year.  WoooHooo!

Today is actually "Friday" for me.....and this is going to be my home for the next two days.

Yeup - the Banff Springs Hotel.  I'm heading there around noon today with my husband who has meetings, and I get to rest,  work on MDS and art/doodle surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Life is good!

I hope today and this weekend have you surrounded by either people or scenery you love.

Thanks for dropping by!

Joan

Joyful Times

Merry Monday morning to you - it's a card sketch day at MDS Monday designed by Holly.  I've decided to create a Christmas card this week....sort of get a jump on things.

I focused primarily on the Joyful Times kit.  I love these ornaments and I "embossed" a few of the snowflakes onto the background.  Be sure to check over at the challenge blog - our Design Team has used Holly's sketch for both cards and scrapbook pages....it's quite versatile.

I hope you are having an enjoyable Labour Day Monday - I'm resting to gear up for the first day of school tomorrow.  I'm totally excited for this new school year - it's going to be great.

Thanks for stopping by

Joan

Welcome Back

Welcome to MDS Monday. Tara has a wonderful card sketch for us - and an extra challenge to create a little grouping of embellishments.

I knew I wanted to make a back to school card and was inspired by Rochelle's little pencil banner HERE.  That helped me create the pencil on my card and then I realized that I could use our new school mascot on the front.  When the principal texted me the image it was square....so I decided to join the two bottom sections of Tara's sketch.

You have until August 30 to submit something for the challenge.  I hope you take up the challenge - it will be fun to see all the different clusters of embellishments.

I've already sent this card off to the printers - the principal is going to be adding them to everyone's goody bag at our first staff meeting!

Have fun!

Joan

Thanks, You're the Best!

Hard to believe that summer is half over - it's the first Monday of the month - and Heidi has a great card sketch for us this week at MDS Monday, along with a video explaining how you can customize a punch shape.

For my thank you card, I am featuring the "Neon Notes" kit for the papers, embellishments and the sentiments.

Here is this week's sketch....

And here is Heidi's video on customizing the punch shape....

I'm looking forward to having more time to craft this week before we leave home again.  I've done a lot this summer, but I still wish it would slow down.

Hope you are having a wonderful beginning to your week.

Thanks for stopping by,

Joan

Just A Note...

Welcome to a card sketch week with MDS Monday - and I'm the sketch designer this week.  I was busy ending school and getting ready for my first leg of my holiday when I had to have this sketch planned - so I went back in my blog looking for ideas I could use.....my eye caught the card I used as a swap at the Stampin'Up! Convention in 2008 - and so I thought it was the perfect card to use since I've just come home from Convention this year.

I've tweaked the sketch a bit because the envelopes weren't square - and I've used the "Keep In Touch" Designer Kit - having been inspired by Tara a couple weeks ago.

Be sure to check out the design team's projects - there is definitely inspiration to be found there - feel free to use any shape for the sketch and be sure to link your project back to MDS Monday so we can take a peak.

Here's the sketch

 Here's my original card - I did keep that "Bugs and Kisses" set - so cute!

Have a great day - thanks for stopping by

Joan

Supply List 

Background

     Designer Series Paper/_Designer Kits/Keep in Touch - designer series paper/Keep in Touch - 4

Embellishments

    _Designer Kits/Keep In Touch - embellishments/Keep in Touch - envelope 9

    _Designer Kits/Keep In Touch - embellishments/Keep in Touch - envelope 8

    _Designer Kits/Keep In Touch - embellishments/Keep in Touch - envelope 1

    _Designer Kits/Keep In Touch - embellishments/Keep in Touch - pencil

Punches

    Basics/1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper/_Designer Kits/Keep in Touch - designer series paper/Keep in Touch - 6     

Sun, Sand & Sea

Welcome to a card sketch day at MDS Monday, brought to you by Beth.  I love this sketch because it's so versatile.  You could fill it with a variety of DSP designs, or add stamped images to fill the spaces.....like I did with the sea horses.  

I'm trying to use a variety of elements from the "Anchors Away"  Digital Kit so that I remember what is included in the kit.  I love these sea horses and the ready made banners.

Check out what the rest of the design team has come up with for this sketch.  And be sure to link your creation back to the Challenge Blog so we can take a peak at what you've made.

Right now I'm starting the second leg of my summer holiday - in Ottawa.   I hope your summer days are filled with fun - and not too much weather.  Thanks for stopping by -

Joan

Background

     Color = MIDNIGHT MUSE 17,69,93

Embellishments

    _Designer Kits/Anchors Away - embellishments/Anchors Away - sun sun sun

    _Designer Kits/Anchors Away - embellishments/Anchors Away - good life

    _Designer Kits/Anchors Away - embellishments/Anchors Away - sand sand sand

    _Designer Kits/Anchors Away - embellishments/Anchors Away - sea sea sea

    Baker's Twine/Baker's Twine - White

    Baker's Twine/Baker's Twine - White knot

Stamps

    _Designer Kits/Anchors Away/Anchors Away - seahorse, Color = NOT QUITE NAVY 52,103,120

Punches

    Basics/1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper/_Designer Kits/Anchors Away - Designer Series Paper/Anchors Away - 1