Somehow I didn’t get to the post I promised for yesterday so today I have two cards.  The first is a card for the new sketch challenge Freshly Made Sketches.  After getting chosen as a Perfect Princess last week, I just had to play again!!  What a thrill to be chosen on the first challenge!!  They ask for clean cards.  Not clean and simple, but clean lines.  Love that!!  Here is their sketch for this week:

This is one that will go in the files to use again and again!

I started in an unusual place on this card…the “any shape” panel.  I just got my new Designer Frames Embossing Folder and knew I had to use it!  One of the first sets I fell in love with in the new catalog was Creative Elements and I haven’t used it nearly enough.  It is perfect for this layout.  I have said it before, one of my favorite things about Stampin’ Up is how much thought goes into the coordination of products.  It makes me so happy when I find corresponding elements in things.  For this card, I noticed the little tulips in the big flourish and immediately added my Framed Tulips Embossing Folder to the mix.  Both the oval (without the little dots) and the butterfly are hand cut.  Some Basic Pearls were added to the butterfly and then the sentiment for balance.  Let’s face it, the pearls make everything more elegant!!  Finally, I scrunched up the new Quilted Satin Ribbon using Sticky Strip and tied a little bow out of hand-colored thread.  Just used a Stampin’ Write marker to make it whatever color you need.

My second card for the day is a wonderful treasure!  My oldest son asked to use some stamps to make a card for me.  How could I say no??!!  He also asked me to see my markers so he could choose colors and came away with Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler (that apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree!!).  I was summarily kicked out of the stamping area while he created.  There was some consultation with my youngest son, I think, and this is the result.  They chose the hummingbird because we have enjoyed our feeder all summer long.  Now just look at that beautiful marker work!!!  Oh, I am a proud mommy!  And mostly because they made something they knew I would treasure forever.  Am I lucky or what??!!  *smile*  This was posted with permission of the artist of course.

Thanks for dropping in today.  I’ll be back on Tuesday with our next Stampin’ Up Only Challenge.  You are going to love it!!  I’m working busily on some class, club and Creative Crew projects.  I’ll share them all just as soon as I can.  Have a great weekend!

Card 1:  Stamps:  Creative Elements, Day of Gratitude; Paper:  River Rock, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla; Ink:  River Rock, Early Espresso; Accessories:  Big Shot, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Designer Frames Embossing Folder, Espresso Quilted Satin Ribbon, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Thread