Sweet Sunday Sketch #179

It has been way too long since I've played along with Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge so it was time to rectify the issue.   Think the round circle sucked me in wink, wink.  Always love it when there is a big circle to play around with on a sketch as there are so many possibilities.  Since I loved this week's Colour Q I paired the two challenges for this card.  

Initially, I was aiming to use some leaves as these colours just scream fall, but then I decided to continue on with my inadvertent theme this week -  verses that have been turned into songs.

Psalm 46:10 is one of my favorite verses.  Think I've said the same thing about the verses I have used on my last two cards...what can I say...I have quite a few favorite verses :)  Love that Verve has them as Plain Janes!

This verse speaks to me often, especially when catch myself running on life's hamster wheel.  As a kid I used to love watching what happened when our hamsters could no longer run on their wheel due to exhaustion.  They couldn't get off because the wheel was spinning too quickly so they had to stop running, hang on for dear life, and let the momentum they had generated take them for a few loops around the wheel.  Once the wheel stopped, they were able to walk away.  Oh how true this is of real life!  Note to self:  Get off the wheel before you are exhausted so you don't get thrown for a loop ;)

There you have it, a little insight into my world.  Just don't think of me as a hamster very time you see my name and I'll be good LOL!

Have a great day everyone :) 


What's In It?
Stamps:  Psalm 46:10 Plain Jane (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Springtime (Echo Park), Mini Dot (Simple Stories), Kraft, Cameo Coral 
Ink:  Black 
Accessories:  Scalloped Trim Trio, Loopy Bloom and Banner Bundle Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders),  Felt, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

JUGS #165 Sketch

This week's sketch challenge is brought to us by Andrea. I combined it the ColourQ challenge as the colours allowed me to use this delightful Echo Park Christmas paper again.  Have no fear - I will run out of it eventually LOL!

A nice easy card you could mass produce quite easily, and make more mailable by omitting the pearls and replacing them with a punched out dot or double layer with another snowflake.

After seeing the picture of the card on my blog, I realized I should have been a bit more cognoscente of where the red snowflakes on the designer paper were.  Some of the punched snowflakes look a bit oddly shaped due to their overlapping the ones on the paper. Good note to self.

For some inspiration to get you going, just hop on over to the Just Us Girls blog, and check out what the Design Team have created.  Then put your creative genes to work and add your card or project to the challenge post on the JUGS blog for the chance to be selected as Chic of the Week.

This weekend's job:  decorating the inside of the house for Christmas :)  
 
  

What's In It?
Stamps:  Peace on Earth (Verve) 
Paper:  Happy Holidays (Echo Park), Garden Green, Real Red  
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Snowflake Punch (Martha Stewart), Square Punch, Half Pearls, Dimensionals 

ColourQing Fall

  
Another wonderful colour combo by Arielle for this week's Colour Q challenge.  I combined it with this week's SCS's sketch challenge - something I have not played along with in a very long time and it felt good to jump in again :)

In keeping with my fall theme, I pulled out this wonderful PTI Falling Leaves set.  Love this little tree - it just makes me smile.

Kept things pretty basic by just using card stock, but like the bold colour blocks.  A few details jazzed it up a bit and I was good to go.

Excited for when the leaves start turning colours around here, but that is a double edged sword as that also means I have a lot of raking to do when they fall down.  Until then, I'll enjoy their Autumn splendor to the fullest :)

I must fess up and apologize about the fact that in my not quite awake state yesterday morning, I accidentally deleted the the first eleven comments on my Christmas card instead of publishing them!!  Hate when I do that!!!  Just wanted to let you know I read every one of them and wish to thank you for taking the time to leave me a  comment.  Unfortunately, the black hole in cyber world is now in possession of them so you won't see your comment on that post....wearing a big "L" on my forehead today LOL!

Have a fabulous day and thanks for popping in today!



What's In It?
Stamps: Falling Leaves (PTI) 
Paper: Burgundy, Certainly Celery, So Saffron 
Ink:  Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, So Saffron, Baroque Burgundy 
Accessories:  Lacy Oval and Oval Nesties (Spellbinders), Button, Twine, Half Pearls, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Freshly Coloured Paper

 
Playing along with this week's Freshly Made Sketches and combining it with this weeks' Colour Q challenge. A bonus challenge was the Paper Player challenge so this card is a three for :)

With such wonderful colours reminding me of a blue sky and some leaf colours, I pulled out my beloved maple leaf die once again.  I also flipped the sketch in order to accommodate the maple leaves.  Like my blue tree bark LOL!  Needed the texture so I went for it!

I also had great fun using my new banner die from Verves's recent Anniversary release.  Love this die!!

Another fabulous day here on the West Coast.  Lots of sunshine and the kids are settling into school nicely.  The routine of early mornings and busy days has begun LOL!

Have a great day and thanks for popping by today!

 

What's In It? 
Stamps: Leaf Prints (PTI), Text Objects (Verve) 
Paper: Cool Caribbean, Cameo Coral, So Saffron, Early Espresso 
Ink: Black, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Leaf Print Dies (PTI), Wood Grain Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), Buttons, Pennant Trim Die (A Cut Above By Verve), Mat Stack 5 Die (PTI), Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Thanks A Bunch Mojo Monday and ColourQ

LOVE round or square week over on the Mojo Monday blog as I just love making round cards, and I combined this week's sketch with the ColourQ challenge.


The fun polka dotted paper is from Love Echo Park's Dots and Stripes collection - love that collection...happy sigh... :)

Took a bit of fiddling to get the pink in, but finally figured it out.  It was so close to being a wonderful fall colour combination that my maple leaf die just about came out to play.  Just a few more weeks....or maybe a bit early to celebrate Canada's medals in the Olympics!  Will just have to see how long I can resist LOL!

The glorious weather continues here on the West Coast and will thankfully hold for the next week and more as my  kids and I head off to join some friends for week of camping in Kelowna (so close Moe, but yet so far!).  Thankfully, they have a trailer as that is the only way I come close to camping!  Good times, swimming, campfires, smores and lots of memories to be built - can't wait!  Only down side is having to miss five days of the Olympics, but at least we'll be back before they are over so I can top up my Olympic fix :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Bloom and Grow (Verve), French Script (Stampin' Up) 
Paper: Dots and Stripes (Echo Park), Only Orange, Real Red, Pretty in Pink 
Ink:  Black, VersaMark 
Accessories: Lacy Circle Nesties, Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), 5/8" White Satin Ribbon, Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensinoals  

Freshly Made Colours

Loved this week's colour combo at the ColourQ.  The blues and olive are so striking together - hmmm, hmmm good :)  Paired them with this week's Freshly Made Sketch.

Decided to buck the masculine option and play with some more of my Verve flowers.  These are from the Dream Big set.  I fussy cut the two largest and then layered them.  The two butterflies were the finishing touch as the circle seemed a bit plain to me.

Yes, the flower and butterfly rut continues...sorry!  Just that time of year.  Take them while you can get them because soon enough I'll be using my beloved PTI maple leaf die all the time LOL!

Phew!  Survived yet another Sports Day!  The weather was absolutely perfect this year - warm but not too warm with a small breeze.  Kids had a great time, did my stint at the concession stand, took some pictures, and got to catch up with lots of parents I don't get to chat with very often (that's what happens when your kids get older and you don't all hang out in the playground after school any more).  Great fun was had by all and our Juneuary weather (it's the coldest June we have had here in about 45 years!) took a tiny vacation and we all got a bit sun kissed today :)

Wishing you all glorious weekend!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Dream Big (Verve)
Paper:  Night of Navy, Brocade Blue, Bashful Blue, Old Olive
Ink: Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Black
Accessories:  Scalloped Border Punch (SU), Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

ColourQing With The Paper Players

I needed a 50th birthday card for a friend and the big circle on this week's Paper Players sketch was calling my name as it was perfect for a big "5-0"on it ;)   I combined it with this week's Colour Q as it was a yummy colour combo and she loves blue.

Since I'm on a bit of a rolled rose binge, I pulled out my two largest MFT rolled rose dies and went to work.  The larger ones are a bit harder to manage - most likely due to the fact I didn't have a large enough glue dot to hold them  together properly.  They are rather "open" roses, but it works for me and keeps my frustration level down by not fiddling with them any more.  The leaves are from Spellbinders "Foliage" set and I sponged them before pulling them out of the die to give the leaves and outline and some dimension.

The "ugh" portion of this card is I just realized I didn't cover up/didn't place the bottom leaf properly as a bit of leaf stem is showing.  Hate when something like this slips by me, but glad I caught it before rather than after the fact.  Will have it corrected before I give it to her this weekend and will also edit the picture accordingly.  Until then, all anal retentive people look away LOL! 

Another busy weekend - it truly is a blur until the end of the school year!  Wish I had more hours in my day so I could get more done.  Think there may be a few power naps in my future so I can plow through the next month's activities and come out the other end somewhat alive!

Thanks for popping by and have a great day :)

 

What's In It? 
Paper:  Bashful Blue DSP, Night of Navy, Kraft, Rich Razzleberry
Ink:  Sahara Sand
Accessories: Lacy Circle, Circle and Foliage  Nesties, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Number Dies (PTI), Rolled Rose Dies (My Favorite Things), Half Pearls, 5/8" Sheer Navy Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

So Glad God Chose You As My Aunt

This week's Verve sketch is brought to us by my blogging friend and Verve Diva, Maureen.  Always love her sketches and this is my crack at it.

A large circle on a sketch is always a big draw for me, and it was perfect for this sentiment on my aunt's birthday card.  She's out visiting from Ontario and it has been wonderful being able to see her again.  Darn 3,000 across Canada from our province to hers is such a nuisance!!  Our visits are way too few and far between.  Good news is my cousin will also be heading out this way on Thursday and we will have one big family bash :)   Well, as big as our family gets anyway LOL!

Sorry....I regressed....back to our scheduled programming....Verve's Love Deepens is such a great set! There are many names you can use with the first part of the sentiment (Mom, Niece, Aunt, Grandma to name a few) which lets you personalize it accordingly, in this case, it is my aunt :)

I combined the sketch with this week's Colour Q as I just loved not only the inspiration picture but the colour combo too!   Even better, My Mind's Eye Blink of an Eye DP is a perfect match  :)   A nice little bonus is the fact this card qualifies for this week's Paper Players challenge too so it is another three-for!   What can I say, small things make me happy LOL!

Thoroughly enjoying looking at my planted baskets, pots and flowers in my garden. This weekend's hard work paid off and will provide many months of enjoyment.  I just LOVE flowers - real and  paper :)

Glad you chose to pop by today, I always appreciate the company!  

 

Stamps: Love Deepens (Verve)
Paper:  Kraft, Blink of an Eye (MME), Real Red
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, Flutterby Die (Verve) 5/8" Red Satin Ribbon, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Button, Twine, Bling, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Giving Thanks for Color Q

I squealed with joy when I realized this week's ColorQ colours are a perfect match to MME's Blink of an Eye DPs - score!  I was also tickle pink to be able to use this fabulous PTI set which I bought a while back and have not had a chance to ink up yet.  Oh happy day :)  I combined it with a Techno Stamper sketch challenge from a few weeks ago as it had the nice big panel that was perfect for the tree.

Just loooove this design on this paper so I am going on a hunt to see if any of our LSS have it in individual sheets.  Sorry....I regressed.. I don't own the proper ink pads to match the colours so I subbed in with Creamy Caramel, Really Rust, and Pumpkin Pie. 

A very straight forward card, and I'm loving the nestie that frames the tree.   I saw someone in blog land put the button at the end of the sentiment by the flag and just loved the look of it so did it on this card.  Balances things of wonderfully.  Played with adding texture behind the tree but none of them seemed to work so I left it blank.  Needless to say, I now have samples of many of my embossing folders LOL!

Kids have a Pro-D Day today so we are going to enjoy some R & R together and just hang out and maybe get a video and have "jammie day".

 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Falling Leaves (PTI)
Paper: Blink of an Eye (MME)
Ink: Creamy Caramel, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust 
Accessories:  Labels 8 Nesties, Scalloped Border Punch (SU), Button, Twine (PTI), Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #87

 
I used this week's sketch to make a card for a friend who had some surgery to let her know my thoughts and prayers are with her.  I now the sentiment isn't a get well one, but I just had to use it as it went with the bird!

I combined it with last week's Colour Q (yes, I'm late again) since MME's Lime Twist papers have these colours.  In the end, I only used one piece of DP as the other combos detracted from the bird - at least that is what I'm telling myself as I still get frazzled trying to use multiple DPs on a card.  One day I hope to look back and say, "why did I ever have an issue with multiple DPs on a card", but for now, I'm still a newbie LOL.

I'm glad to say we have made it through our first full week of school and all is good - yeah!!  Even better, I have switched to my "school schedule"  with my wake up times, taking kids to practices, piano lesson, soccer game etc. without any mishaps.

The rest of the Design Team has some fabulous cards for your inspiration.

Cindy Kirsty Makeesha Renée Brandi Carrie Helen Ilina Lee-Anne Marisa

Just a reminder that each week Keesh will select a winner and an honorable mention and post their cards on the Inkspirations Challenge blog.  We'd love to see your card posted as a winner, all you have to do is play along.



What's In It?
Stamps: Accent Notes (Verve)
Paper:Lime Twist DP (My Mind's Eye), Turquoise, Certainly Celery, Orchid Opulence, Black
Ink: Black
Accessories:SU Bird and Scalloped Border Punch, Distressed Stripes EF, Circle Nesties, Half Pearls, 1" Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Twine, Dimensionals

Mojo Leaves

This week's Mojo Monday sketch was an interesting one.  Fun  layout and the oval shape lends itself to all sorts of options.   I combined it with this last week's ColourQ as I loved the colour combo.  In addition, it was a great excuse to pull out my new Leaf nesties :)

I chose a circle instead of an oval and created a separate ring of white to go on top of the bordering blue panel to add some texture and a fun element to the panel.  Some scoring on the white background panel, and a black button and two other black details to get my rule of three in :)A good masculine card to add to my stash. 

I managed to get out of the gutter cleaning this weekend because we got rain and there was no way hubby was going to let me go up an extension ladder when it was slick.  Needless to say, I wholeheartedly agreed LOL! 

Was totally proud of my daughter for winning a gold medal in the piano scale competition last month and was totally overjoyed to hear her say "that was easy" she she came out of her Grade 2 piano exam!  Hopefully her score will match her comment! 

Crazy busy this week as school winds down, but I'm going to squeeze in as much stamping time as I can between driving kids to activities, helping out and buying teacher's gifts LOL!

Thanks for sharing a bit of your day with me and hope yours is a good one :)





What's In It?
Paper: Bordering Blue, Cajun Craze, Going Grey, Baroque Burgundy
Accessories:  Nesties Leaves, Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, Distressed Stripes Embossing Folder, SU Embossing Folder, Scor-Pal, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, half Pearls, Dimensionals

Whoooo Is Thinking Of You?

This week's ColorQ had some fun, bright colours!  I just loved the inspiration picture and immediately wanted to use my new Stampin' Up owl punch (yes, I'm a bit slow...but when one has a tight budget, better late than never is the key!).  I combined this week's colours with Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch as the layout was perfect for the owl.

Since I didn't have any Soft Suede I had to sub in a different brown - think it may be Really Rust.  I pulled out my scalloped scissors to make rows of "feathers" on the owl (just don't look too closely as they aren't quite even!) and added a black branch for a bit of pop against all the bright colours.

Still in love with PTI's Polka Dot Basics II so I VersaMarked large dots on the Melon Mambo panel and embossed the main image panel with Tim Holtz's wood grain embossing folder for some "tree texture".  Love this folder!  My list of addictions is expanding LOL!

I'm beginning to tremble at the thought of just three and a half weeks of school left and the fact that my "baby" girl will be moving on to high school next year!  Think I'll pull a Scarlet O'Hara and "think about it tomorrow"!




What's In It?
Stamps: (Verve) Circular Sayings
Paper:  Melon Mambo. Crushed Curry, Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: Black
Accessories: (Stampin' Up) Owl Punch, Scalloped Circle Punch, Circle Punch, Bird Punch, Tim Holtz Wood Grain Embossing Folder, Corner Rounder, Sheer Brown Polka Dotted Ribbon, Button, Scalloped Scissors, Half Pearls, Dimensionals

May Papertrey Blog Hop Challenge

This is my first ever Papertrey blog hop!  Since I just got some new PTI goodies including some flower dies, and since flowers were this month's theme, I decided to jump in and participate.

I combined this week's Monday Lunchtime sketch and Color Q challenges because last week I made card for the Color Q and for some dumb reason, forgot to add it to Mr. Linky!  Still kicking myself for that one as I loved my card.  Oh well, lesson learned!!

As you can tell from some of my recent posts, the Polka Dot Basics II set is quickly becoming a favorite of mine!  I used it along with Dawn's wonderful Signature Greetings and PTI flower die.  I added some white leaves with a bit of script on them to help balance things off.  My Daffodil Delight is very minimal, but it's in there with the twine LOL!

Thanks for joining me on my first ever PTI Blog Hop :)   As the card says, hope your day is fabulous!




What's In It?
Stamps: (PTI)  Polka Dot Basics II, Signature Greetings
Paper: So Saffron, Real Red, Early Espresso
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  PTI Flower Blooms II Die, Button, Twine, 5/8" White Satin Ribbon, Martha Stewart Leaf Punch, Glue Dot, Twine, Bling, Dimensionals