CAS(E) This Sketch 237

Meow.  That is all.

Actually, that is not all!  It's time for a new challenge at CAS(E) This Sketch and I really wanted to do a fun design with some fun shapes with Chrissy's uber cool sketch but after looking through my stamps I was not very inspired.  Then I happened upon this cat themed stamp set from Concord & 9th (that I think is retired) and my MEOW was born.

Now in case you didn't figure it out, the lines radiating from the seniment are whiskers!  Cat whiskers, that is!  Before I started combing my stamping stash for some ideas on images I had seen the color challenge at CAS-ual Fridays, which is a very simple Kraft and White.  I didn't think I could pull that off with this sketch so I kept on looking for other inspiration.  I also noted that there was a One Layer challenge going on at CAS on Friday.  These two challenges must have been forefront on my brain as I started perusing my stash because as soon as I saw this stamp set with that sentiment I knew I could use those colors and create an embossed sentiment in white and then frame it with the whiskers in kraft and I'd have a fun take on the sketch!

For those of you who don't know I have two kitties myself.  They are my stamping buddies and their job is to supply the cat fur that invariably gets stuck inadvertenly to every card that I make.  I also like to post pictures of them on Facebook, just like every other proud pet-mama.  Well I happen to have an uncle that pretends to hate cats and is always following up my FB posts with some rude comment about my cats.  I responded last year by giving him a framed picture of my two kitties for Christmas.  He promptly put the picture in his bathroom (posting a picture of it on FB for all his friends to see).  All this in a round-a-bout way of saying that I think that I will send him this card for this birthday.  It's fun to keep our little "war" going!

Well, that's it for me.  A bit long winded don't you think?  Thanks for sticking around for my little story.  And don't forget that all important new challenge at CAS(E) This Sketch.  We'd love to see you play along with us!

Supplies
Stamps:  You Crazy Cat (Concord & 9th)
Paper:  Crumb Cake (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Versarmark; Crumb Cake (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories:  white embossing powder

Freshly Made Sketches 303

Well hello friends.  It's Wednesday so it must be Freshly Made Sketches day!  This week our sketch comes from down under*.  Karren is our hostess and all that "down under" must have been on my brain because I completely flipped the sketch!

I have a great nephew (in the sense that he is the son of my nephew) and he is turning one in a couple of weeks.  He (and his parents) live quite a distance from me so I had to make a card in plenty of time to give it to my sister who is travelling this Friday to celebrate the happy birthday celebration.  This sketch fit perfectly for the idea I had in my head for his card - except it was upside down.  So I flipped it and all of a sudden my card was born.

I colored the image with Prismacolor pencils and usually when I do that I blend the colors with gamsol.  I went back and forth whether I should do that here.  On the one hand I liked how the unblended coloring on the teddy bears seemed to give them some texture - always a plus with a plush toy.  And on the other I considered just using the gamsol on the number one.  In the end I decided to leave the number untouched and reasoned that it had a juvenile quality to it - which sort of fit with the first birthday theme.  I just hope that the adults at the party don't think this is a horribly colored image!

Now about that "down under."  I am aware that this term is used frequently in reference to Australia, but Karren is from New Zealand.  I googled the term and found that according to the Oxford English Dictionary "down under" is a term that is used to refer to "Oceania" which includes New Zealand.  So I think I am ok using it here.  In any event I've wanted to visit Australia since the 1980's when I first saw Mad Max and I've wanted to visit New Zealand since 2014 when Karren joined the design team at Freshly Made Sketches!

I hope you'll join us at Freshly Made Sketches this week.  Our design team has got some beautiful cards to inspire you so be sure to take a look!  I hope to see you in the gallery!

Supplies
Stamps:  Teddy's First Birthday (Pink gem Designs)
Paper:  Bashful Blue, Real Red, Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!); Solar White (Neenah)
Ink:  Prismacolor Pencils
Accessories:  Diagonal Stripe Stencil (Simon Says Stamp); translucent embossing paste (Dreamweaver)

CAS(E) This Sketch 236

It seemed like it was time to make a Halloween card.  It's still summer here and the weather is finally acting like it so I don't know why I'm thinking of a mid-autumn, slighly chilly weathered holiday.  But thinking about it I am.  On second thought if you keep reading you might find out why.  In any event it's time for an new reveal at CAS)E) This Sketch so here's what I've got.

By no means did I start the creative process for this card with Halloween thoughts.  But as is typical for me I start running ideas through my head at random moments.  I walk on my lunch break and that's a terrific time to design cards in the abstract.  All these musings lead me to the challenge at Fusion (where I chose the colors) and from there it was a short leap to Halloween.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you can pop on over to CAS(E) This Sketch to check out the design team cards there.  I am sure you will be inspired to play along with us!

Supplies
Stamps:  Autumn Apparitions, Bite Me (Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Classic Ivory  (Flourishes); Basic Black, Halloween Night DSP (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories:  white embossing powder

Freshly Made Sketches 302

This week at Freshly Made Sketches Cécile is our hostess.  She has this amazing way of selecting the best die cut shapes then layering them in such a way that you are immediately smitten with her style.  I tried to channel my inner Cécile with my card this week - using some dies from a French store that, I believe, is one of her favorites.  The enabling continues at Freshly Made Sketches!

For the big circle I slathered on some embossing paste using a circular stencil then I layered on a triangle (which is actually a Christmas tree), and some floral shapes to represent the star on the sketch.  The colors for this card come from the newest challenge at Global Design Project.

Thanks for stopping by!  The Freshly Made Sketches design team have got some GREAT cards to share with you this week so be sure to check them out.  I hope we'll see you in the gallery!

Supplies
Stamps:  Label Love (Altenew)
Paper:  Cloud White (Reverse Confetti); Bermuda Bay, Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!); Berry Sorbet (Papertrey Ink)
Ink:  Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories:  Basket stencil (StencilGirl); Feuilles Asymétriques die; Feuilles Tropicales die, Sapins die (Simply Graphic); Button Stacks die, Button Stacks II die (Papertrey Ink); white embossing paste (Dreamweaver); crochet thread

CAS(E) This Sketch 235

I'm so envious of people who can sponge color on a card.  I'm terrible at it and at some point I will make an effort to practice that technique so that I'm reasonably good at it.  That being said the sketch this week at CAS(E) This Sketch gave me an excuse to do the sort of sponging that doesn't require any special skills.

Using long strips of post it tape, I mask off sections of the card base leaving small areas free then I sponge color onto those areas.  Easy peasy!  I usually do this technique and make my own plaid but this sketch with the lines seemed perfect for it.  I used the summery and cheerful colors at Sunday Stamps and I realized after I made it that it was a one layer card, which they are looking for over at Addicted to CAS.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Once again the design team at CAS(E) This Sketch has totally rocked the sketch so be sure to check them out.  I hope you can join us in the gallery!

Supplies
Stamps:  Many Thanks (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper: White (Catherine Pooler)
Ink:  Melon Berry, Berry Sorbet (Papertrey Ink); Daffodil Delight, Pink Pirouette (Stampin' Up!); Coral Berry, Jet Black (Altenew)

Freshly Made Sketches 301

Today we've got a new sketch debuting at Freshly Made Sketches.  But before I get to that I'd like to thank everyone that played along with last week's sketch.  It was #300 and that's a milestone to be proud of.  Week in and week out there is inspiration to be found over there (both from the design team and from the participants in the gallery) and that's what this card-making hobby is all about.  So thank you for supporting Freshly Made Sketches.  Here's to 300 more!

This week our sketch is brought to you by Jen Brum.  I had a little trouble with the angle of that diagonal layer.  Mine ended up being a mirror image but I think you get the idea!

I wanted a simple Christmas card and this sketch was perfect to show off that big, elegant snowflake.  There's a "peace on earth" challenge going on at Jingle Belles and luckily I had a sentiment that fit perfectly on that diagonal layer.  Both the snowflake and the sentiment were heat embossed in gold.

Thanks for stopping by!  And do be sure to check out our 301st challenge at Freshly Made Sketches!

Supplies

Stamps:  Star of Light (Stampin' Up!); Christmas Carols (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)

Paper:  Classic Ivory (Flourishes); Taste of Textiles (Stampin' Up!)

Ink:  Versamark

Accessories:  Stitched Basic Edges die (My Favorite Things; gold embossing powder

CAS(E) This Sketch 234

I'm adding another Christmas card to my stash thanks to the latest challenge at CAS(E) This Sketch.  I did make a square card instead because sometimes only a square will do!

The cute pooch is my circle on the sketch and the sentimet is that slim horizontal layer.  I added some falling snow, in the form of embossing paste, and I actually managed to put it on around the dog and the sentiment.  I think it's hard to see, but trust me, it's there!

Last week at The Merry Christmas Challenge they were looking for animals so that was a strong  motivator to use this dog.  Alas I miscalculated and the challenge ended before today.  Lucky for me they've got an "anything goes" challenge going on this week so I can play along after all!

Thanks for stopping by.  There are some great cards at CAS(E) This Sketch that the design team has created to inspire you so be sure to check them out!

Supplies

Stamps:  Santa Paws (Paper Smooches)

Paper:  Classic Ivory (Flourishes); Real Red, Merry Moments DSP (Stampin' Up!)

Ink:  Black Licorice (My Favorite Things); Jet Black (Altenew); Copics

Accessories:  Falling Snow stencil (Simon Says Stamp); embossing paste (Dreamweaver)

Freshly Made Sketches 300!

Can you believe it?  We are at challenge #300 over at Freshly Made Sketches!  A whopping 300 challenges!  Way back in the day (around August 2011 to be exact) Lesley (she of Always Playing With Paper fame) conceived of this idea to create a sketch challenge.  How about creating cards that are clean but not necessarily simple.  She invited some talented ladies to join her to provide inspiration each week and here we still are - six years later!

We've got something unique planned this week to celebrate this milestone.  Someone from the gallery - a random someone - is going to take home a special prize:  ALL of the design team cards!  Yep, that's right!  A lucky winner will receive original creations from the Freshly Made Sketches design team!

I wanted something bright and cheery this week (to echo our bright and cheery mood) and luckily the challenge at Fab Friday fit right in with my master plan!

Our resident teacher, Linda, has estimated that over the last six years there have been more than 25,000 cards created for this challenge!  25,000!  Can you believe it?  That's a whole lot of cards!  And a whole lot of inspiration!

At Freshly Made Sketches we can't thank you enough for playing along with us each week.  Without you we wouldn't exist - literally!  The inspiration that you provide week after week is the reason why we do this.  And the enabling that goes on - well, I can't begin to tell you how many things I've added to my stamping stash just because I've visited your blogs and just had to have some new stamp or die or embellishment that I've seen you use.  Thank you from the bottom of my checkbook!

So I hope you can join us for this extra special challenge this week.  Our design team has gone all out and provided some amazing inspiration for you.  And just think:  you could win all of those cards!

Supplies
Stamps:  Great Friend (Stampin' Up!)
Paper:  Solar White (Neenah); Hibiscus Burst (Papertrey Ink); Lemon Lime Twist, Melon Mambo (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Lemon Lime Twist (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories:  Honeycomb Remnant die (Memory Box); Gerbera Daisy die, Pierced Fishtail Flags STAX (My Favorite Things); Leaves die (Penny Black); Banner Trio die (WPlus9)

You're the Star

These days posting on a Monday is a rarity for me!  I don't seem to have as much time for stamping as I used to (or as I'd like) but I had some extra time yesterday so I put myself to good use in my stamp room.  The combination of a couple of cool challenges plus some new stamping goodies that I recently got provided sufficient inspiration!

I took a few liberties with the sketch at Fusion but you get the basic idea!  I combined the layout with the very cool colors at Color Throwdown.  This is my first time inking up the new Lemon Lime Twist from SU.  It's bright!  I love how the super hero style starburst looks inked up in it and the black sentiment provides awesome contrast.

I think we're in for a spot of rain today which means no walking for me on my lunch hour.  We've had plenty of rain this summer so enough already!  Maybe since we've had such a wet summer we'll get no snow this winter...A girl can dream!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies
Stamps:  Explosion! Additions (Uniko); Shiny Happy Sentiments (Lil' Inker Designs)
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Lemon Lime Twist (Stampin' Up!); White (Catherine Pooler)
Ink:  Lemon Lime Twist (Stampin' Up!); Jet Black (Altenew)
Accessories:  Stitched Basic Edges die (My Favorite Things); Enamel Dew Drops (Freckled Fawn)

CAS(E) This Sketch 233

It's easy peasy lemon squeezy over at CAS(E) This Sketch today where we've got a great new sketch designed by Hannelie.

In retrospect I should have done two lemons instead of three to keep more in line with the sketch but I love lemons so I stuck them all on there!  The cue card this week at CASology is "juicy" which put me in mind of this stamp set that I've had for ages.  I even dug out my old Crystal Effects (pleasantly surprised to find that storing it on its side prevented the nozzle from clogging) and used that on the inside parts of the lemons.  It looks great in real life!

The work week is nearly over (yay!) and I'm looking forward to the weekend so I can relax a bit.  Thanks for stopping by and I hope we'll see you at CAS(E) This Sketch.  Be sure to check out the inspiration from the design team.  You're going to love all their cards!

Supplies
Stamps:  Lemon Squeezy (The Alley Way Stamps)
Paper:  Cloud White (Reverse Confetti); Daisy (Avery Elle); X-Press It Blending Card
Ink:  Black Licorice (My Favorite Things); Copics
Accessories:  Dotted Curve die (Poppystamps)

Freshly Made Sketches 299!

Well here we are again at Wednesday!  Why is it that the days motor on like Speedy Gonzales?  I wish they would slow down because I've got loads of things to do and not enough time to do them!  But enough of that.  Freshly Made Sketches day is, of course, Wednesday and we've got a great sketch by Kim this week.

How's that for a fabulous sketch!  I spent a lot of time thinking about this sketch and how I was going to do those vertical elements.  Luckily I found this unique challenge at As You See It that asked about what  you do when your crafting mojo deserts you.  Well for me, I like to CASE myself.  I find a card that I particularly like and re-work it a bit.  That's how I got my inspiration for todays card:  by CASEing a card I made about a year ago.  I used the same stencil and the same basic sentiment.  Just changed up the layout.  There's a "beach" challenge going on at Cupcake Inspirations that gave me my colors.  I used Sahara Sand and Baja Breeze, both pretty beachy colors!

Thanks for stopping by and you will be wowed, for sure, at the cards the Freshly Made Sketches design team has made for this challenge so be sure to check them out.  I hope we'll see you in the gallery!

Supplies
Stamps:  Awesome (Neat & Tangled)
Paper:  Solar White (Neenah); Baja Breeze (Stampin' Up!)
Ink:  Sahara Sand, Baja Breeze (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories:  Awesome die (Neat & Tangled); Chevron Pattern stencil (Simon Says Stamp); Wink of Stella