Wow, it is Wednesday already and I’m here with the latest sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  The lovely Tui Nathan of Stampin-Time has brought us this fun layout.  The hardest part of using it was narrowing down the choices.  I may make a few more with this one since it is so versatile!

I turned it on its side to use one of my favorite watercoloring sets ever…Every Moment.  This one is on Stampin’ Up’s retirement list but it isn’t too late.  I can say with certainty that it will be in my collection for a long time to come!  I stamped the flower and butterfly in Early Espresso ink on Watercolor Paper, then colored in with Baja Breeze, Perfect Plum, Crumb Cake and Soft Suede.  Blessedly, this wasn’t made for any specific reason.  I had recently used a sympathy card from my box of cards and wanted to replace it.  I find that when I need one, I either don’t have the time or the focus to create one.  These are best made “just because” for me.  I used some retired Elegant Soiree DSP from a couple of years ago.  I thought the line art was a nice combination with the art of the stamp.

Well, you can see that I never got around to posting a card yesterday.  Apologies!  It seems that the end of the school year brings lots and lots to do and no time to do it.  Today I’m off to a field trip but I have already scheduled the post for tomorrow.

Make sure you go see the design team’s variations on this sketch.  So many beautiful cards!  Hope you have a great day.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Every Moment, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper:  Elegant Soiree DSP (retired), Soft Suede, Watercolor Paper; Ink:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Perfect Plum, Crumb Cake; Accessories:  Blender Pen, Dimensionals

It is my turn to hostess at Freshly Made Sketches this week and I hope you like my sketch!    I thought it would be fun for showcasing designer papers but also for stamping.  You can stamp all three panels separately or show us a split panel image.  Knowing what I see from week to week, I’m certain you will come up with all kinds of amazing projects.  As usual, the design team already has.  I have to say that it is fun to see what others create with a sketch you designed!!

I decided to go the three image route with my card.  With all the projects I’ve been working on this month, I had a potpourri of designer papers sitting around on my table and thought I should combine them.  I pulled out an old favorite retired hostess set Of the Earth for the flower stamp.  Some retired sets just have to stay in the drawer because they are so awesome…this is one I love!  The background paper is from Twitterpated DSP and you know what??  It is carrying over to the new catalog!  Yippee!!!  I was a little worried about the Pear Pizzazz print (and I’m officially out of Pear Pizzazz).  But you know what?  Old Olive is a PERFECT go-with color.  Whew!  Problem solved and more Twitterpated coming to my house!  The Calypso Coral paper is from Everyday Enchantment DSP (SAB).  Sale-a-bration is just a gift that keeps on giving!  I inked up the flowers in Old Olive and Calypso Coral and stamped them using my trusty Stamp-a-ma-jig.  What would I do without that tool??!!  Finally I tied on some Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding with a potato masher triple bow.  I added a tag using the Jewelry Tag Punch and a part of a sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

I hope you enjoy this sketch and that you will play along this week!  Now hop right over to Freshly Made Sketches and visit the other design team members blogs.  You’ll be happy you did!

Sorry I’m a little late on my post this morning.  I’m having some painting done at our house and it is a little distracting (but it will be nice when it is done!!).  One wall is very close to Midnight Muse and the others are a bit darker than Very Vanilla.  Yes, all wall colors are based on SU colors at my house (I’m sure I’m not alone).  Oh yeah, Midnight Muse??!!  It is one of the new In-Colors 2012-14 and I am already in love.  I just got it so I’ll be working in into a project as soon as possible.

Ok, off to finish cutting for a Customer Appreciation Class I am holding tomorrow.  I’ll be sharing those projects with you soon.  Thanks for stopping in today.  See you soon!

Stamps:  Of the Earth (hostess, retired), Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper:  Twitterpated DSP, Everyday Enchantment DSP (SAB), Old Olive, Whisper White; Ink:  Old Olive, Calypso Coral; Accessories:  Stamp-a-ma-jig, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, Jewelry Tag Punch, Neutrals Buttons

Happy Wednesday!!  I hope you are having a great week so far.  In all my excitement to tell you about Craft Project Central yesterday, I forgot to tell you that I am on leave for the whole month.  Oh, don’t worry, I’ll get enough flying during the summer for two people!!  The company was looking for some volunteers for unpaid leave and I figured it would give me time to catch up from the whirlwind I’ve been in since going back to flying.  Hopefully that will mean more stamping (and posts) too!

Jen Mitchell from I Create is the sketch hostess at Freshly Made Sketches this week.  As usual, she came up with a great sketch!  Last week blew me away and I know this one will bring some more oohs and aahs!

I am trying to use up some of my retiring DSP to clear the way for Stampin’ Up’s new catalog launch on June 1st.  Actually demonstrators get to see it in May 7th so I have even more reason to clear out some things!!  I started the card with this wonderful print from Paisley Petals DSP.  I thought it would be really pretty on the sketch panels!  As I was sifting through my stamp drawer I came upon Day of Gratitude.  I seem to get lots of use out of this in the fall but then it gets neglected.  Not really sure why since it works in all seasons.  The medallion was just what I needed so I inked it up with Always Artichoke and Early Espresso using my Stampin’ Write Markers (*note:  Always Artichoke is “retiring” as an individual marker and will only be available as part of a Regals set in the future.  I already ordered a spare!).  I need a graduation card for a niece so I chose a sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes for that.  Not sure it has the right feel for graduation but I’m hoping she will like it.

The design team and our guest designers have made some fabulous cards this week.  After admiring their work (and letting them know), roll on down to read about a design team call for Freshly Made Sketches.  Lots of great info and you can’t be chosen if you don’t enter!!

Thanks for stopping in today.  I’ll be back tomorrow with another Craft Project Central feature.  Hope you have a great day!

Stamps:  Day of Gratitude, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper:  Paisley Petals DSP, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla; Ink:  Early Espresso, Always Artichoke; Accessories:  Neutrals Buttons, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals

I am just so excited to show you the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches this week!!  I loved it the minute I saw it!!  The lovely Linda Callahan of Stampin’ Seasons created this one.  Brilliant, isn’t she??!!  When you see what the design team has made this week you will want to run to your stamp area and create!

I think I have had a color breakthrough and I attribute it all to the Summer Smooches DSP.  I have said before that I have never been in love with Rich Razzleberry but I’m afraid this new print has changed my thinking!  Just look at it and you can see why!  I just love the oval embossing of the Designer Frames Folder on an oval shape and I thought it would be great with this layout.  So I turned to a trusty old friend, the flower from Friends Never Fade.  I like how it escaped the frame a bit too!  After putting the image and the DSP panel together I thought that buttons would be the perfect finish and they are great for this sketch.  They come from the Brights Collection of buttons (Razzleberry and Pumpkin Pie).  The measurements on my base are 4 1/4″ square which allows me to mail it in the normal SU envelope with no extra postage.  Just a reminder that this stamp set is on the SU Retiring Stamps List.  So while Friends Never Fade, this stamp will be gone at the end of May.  Also, take a look at the SU Retiring Accessories List that just came out today.  The Ovals Die used here and many other items are on it.  These are only available while supplies last so make sure you move fast!

Now click right over (yes, right now) to the Freshly Made Sketches site and take a look at the design teams’ work.  Glad I don’t have to choose a favorite!!

I will be back on Friday with another card made with this set from my Vintage Card Class.  Thanks so much for stopping in today.  Have a great day!

Stamp:  Friends Never Fade; Paper:  Summer Smooches DSP, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White; Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie; Accessories:  Big Shot, Ovals Die, Designer Frames EF, Brights Buttons, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

 

Take a look at the next sketch from Freshly Made Sketches!  This one is brought to us by the wonderful Rita Wright of Rita’s Creations.  This is one of those that can be used as-is or flipped.  Either is sure to be fantastic!

For mine, I kept the sketch horizontal but used a rectangle.  You see, back when I got to go visit my friend Cindy Elam she showed me her techniques for watercoloring.  I have to say that she is an actual artist.  She draws the most beautiful things and has such talent.  Of course it makes sense that her coloring would bring that artistry!  She showed me how she colors this truck and gives it the nuances of light and shadow.  While I’d love to take credit, all I did was mimic her work.  Look at this card to see how she colored it.  The truck is stamped in Soft Suede and then colored with more Soft Suede.  I added some Cajun Craze for the apples and Night of Navy for the sky.  Most of the work is done with a Blender Pen.  I did use my Aqua Painter for a little extra blending of the sky.  Rita’s sketch was the perfect showcase for this panel and I’m happy I finally found the right home for it.

The design team has created a lovely variety of cards with the sketch and you are sure to love them.  I hope you will be able to join us on this one!

I hope to be back on Friday with a card I’ll be making tomorrow with my stamp club.  It is loaded with Summer Smooches!  Thanks for stopping in.  See you again soon!

Stamp:  Countryside; Paper:  Watercolor, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Naturals Ivory; Ink:  Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Night of Navy; Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice EF, Quilted Espresso Ribbon (ret), Antique Brads, Blender Pen, Aqua Painter

 

Happy middle of the week!!  I’m back with another fantastic sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  I was so impressed with all the variations of my sketch last week…wow!  This week our layout comes from the amazing Tui Nathan of Stampin’ Time.  She is such a talented stamper and her layout is sure to inspire!

I didn’t quite comply with the half-circle element of the sketch but this flower was calling out to be on this card.  I just love these tissue paper flowers!!  All you do is run a folded up piece of wrapping tissue paper through your Big Shot (in this case with the Fun Flowers Die).  I sponged the layers lightly and arranged them until it looked right.  An Antique Brad hold all the layers together.  This beautiful paper is from the Beau Chateau DSP pack and the prints work so well together.  The only stamping on this one is the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I am trying to use up some of my DSP since the new catalog from Stampin’ Up is only about a month and a half away.  One of my sisters-in-law and her husband just celebrated their 10th anniversary so I made this card for them.  Fortunately we saw them in person since cards with elements off the edge are hard to mail.

I have a Vintage Card Class tomorrow so I should have some things to share with you over the next few days.  Don’t forget to go check out the inspirational work of the whole design team at Freshly Made Sketches!  Thanks for stopping in…see you again soon!

Stamp:  Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper:  Beau Chateau DSP, Soft Suede, Whisper White; Ink:  Soft Suede, Marina Mist; Accessories:  Big Shot, Fun Flowers Die, Antique Brads, Basic Pearls, Wrapping Tissue Paper

Guess what??!!  I am the sketch hostess for this week’s Freshly Made Sketches!!  When I chose this sketch I had designer papers in mind.  I’m hoping it will be a great way to showcase some of your favorites!

I chose to use the Paisley Petals DSP since it has such pretty spring colors.  My only debate what which stamp set to use.  I decided to go old school and pulled out a retired hostess set called Of the Earth.  This set was a favorite but I didn’t use this particular stamp very much…not sure why!! It seemed perfect here.  I inked it up with lighter colors and then added darker colors for accents.  After doing that, I sponged over the stamp to soften the lines.  I always seem to need thank you cards so I chose the sentiment from Day of Gratitude.  Such a pretty font!!  Finally, I added a little button for some balance to the card.

I hope you like the sketch and I know you will love the cards the design team made with it!!  We have two new guest designers for the month of April, Kathy Tanner and  Lisa Johansen, and they are amazing!

Not sure if I can post again before the weekend so I want to take the opportunity to wish you a wonderful Passover and Easter weekend.  Thanks for stopping by today.  See you again soon!

Stamps:  Of the Earth (hostess, retired), Day of Gratitude; Paper:  Paisley Petals DSP, Early Espresso, Whisper White; Ink:  Calypso Coral, Tangerine Tango, Pear Pizzazz, Always Artichoke, Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso; Accessories:  Neutrals Buttons, White Baker’s Twine

Ok, don’t say I didn’t tell you that this sketch was cool!  This layout from Freshly Made Sketches is care of Lesley Croghan of Always Playing with Paper.  While I admit that this one intimidated me a bit at first, I think you will be surprised at how easy it is to use!  When you see the inspiration pieces from the design team you will see what I mean.  They are all going into my CASE files!

This card is pretty much all about punches and dies for the Big Shot.  I started with my 1 3/4″ and 1 1/4″ Circle Punches and the Everyday Enchantment DSP from Sale-a-bration.  The great thing about designer paper packs is that they coordinate.  Certainly makes it easy to create a card like this.  All I had to do was decide which patterns to put together and I was most of the way there.  I added some butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit and the little flowers from the Fun Flowers die, along with some Basic Pearl accents.  I sponged along all the edges with a some Soft Suede ink.  Finally, a little banner with my sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes and done!

This is one that would be easy to duplicate and create a whole pack of cards for myself or a gift.  Hmmm…might have to do that!

Now get right to work and try this sketch.  Don’t let it intimidate you…you’ll be happy you tried it!  Don’t forget to take a peek at the fab cards from the rest of the team.  Amazing!

Glad you stopped in today.  I’m getting ready for my stamping club meeting tomorrow.  If I have any extra stamping time, maybe I’ll have something else to share later this week.  Have a great day!

Stamp:  Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper:  Everyday Enchantment DSP (SAB), Very Vanilla, Baha Breeze, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz;  Ink:  Soft Suede; Accessories:  Circle Punches (1 3/4″, 1 1/4″), Big Shot,  Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Fun Flowers Die, Basic Pearls, Sponge, Dimensionals

Happy middle of the week!  I hope your week is going well so far.  Just take a look at this cool sketch from Freshly Made Sketches this week.  It is brought to you by Jen Mitchell of I Create.  I’ve said it before but I just love her cards.  I think I have a disproportionate amount of them pinned for later inspiration.  *smile*

I made my card for today while stamping at Cindy’s last week.  Again, I just “had” to use some of her things that I don’t have.  I started with the hostess set Simply Soft.  I inked it with Versamark ink and then Chocolate Chip, stamped it on Shimmery White paper and embossed with Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder.  I colored the flower first with Pink Pirouette ink and then Pretty in Pink using a Blender Pen.  The background paper was embossed using the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder.  Then came the bow.  I love these double bows and I knew I wanted to add one on this card.  Cindy had some ribbon in her stash that was a perfect match.  How lucky for me!  I stamped a sentiment from Three Little Words to finish it off.  Back to the bow…while I was at Cindy’s, she was kind enough to actually create a video of me tying one of these.  It is so hard to explain but actually very easy when you see it done.  Here is the link to the bow tutorial.  I cannot emphasize enough that when you are done tying the bow, you will need to pull on the tails and re-fluff the loops a bit.  My bow on the tutorial has a knot that is a bit looser than the one on this card.  We did it in only one take and you can get the basics.  This bow has a tighter center and I like it a bit better.  The bow from the tutorial will be on a card next week.

You won’t be disappointed by the cards from the design team this week.  As always there is lots of variety and so much inspiration!  Can’t wait to see what you make with the sketch.

Thanks for dropping by today.  If you have any questions about the bow or anything else stamping related, just drop me a note.  See you again soon!

Stamps:  Simply Soft, Three Little Words; Paper:  Shimmery White, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip; Ink:  Versamark, Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink; Accessories:  Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Blender Pen, Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Pink Ribbon, Dimensionals