colourQ 255 and Seize the Sketch 27

It's Tuesday so that means there's a brand new palette at colourQ.  This time around the colors are inspired by this beautiful curtain that would look fantastic in my bathroom!  I'd actually like it better as a shower curtain as I'm not much of a window curtain kind of girl (not to mention my cats would probably think I installed a curtain purely for their entertainment)!  This card is also made using the latest sketch at Seize the Sketch designed by Cathy.  Sadly, Cathy has the dubious honor of presiding over the last challenge at Seize the Sketch.  (Insert sad face here).  

I mentioned last week that I was watching the videos for the watercolor Online Card Class.  Over the weekend I got around to watching some more and was intrigued by the lesson where we learned how to take a stamped image and make it look more like it was watercolored.  After going through all of my stamps twice to find an appropriate image for this similar to the ones used in the video I settled on a little leafy stamp.  Despite being warned that this technique was advanced and required lots of practice I went full steam ahead, made this card, and posted it as if it was the Mona Lisa (a little shot of confidence that I learned from my friend Linda).  Once the leaves were stamped I pounced them with a wet brush, the idea being to soften the edges and spread some of that color around.  Then I went in with my markers and added little dots of color which I then pounced with my wet brush.  

I've got to say that seeing it here doesn't thrill me.  It really does look better in person, but here it looks like I made a card then spilled a glass of water on it.  Blah.  I should have listened to the experts and practiced a bit more before unleashing my supposed creativity on all of you!  Ha!

Of course, you know that the girls at colourQ have got an amazing array of cards to show you using these colors and the girls at Seize the Sketch will also knock your socks off with their cards this week.  Wouldn't it be nice to send Seize the Sketch off with a bang?  I encourage you to play along with our last sketch!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Pocket Silhouettes, It's Your Birthday (SU)

Paper:  Classic Ivory (Flourishes); Old Olive (SU); watercolor paper

Ink:  Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party (SU)

Accessories:  Basic Pearls (SU)

colourQ 253 and Seize the Sketch 26

Happy Tuesday!  Today is the day for a new color palette at colourQ as well as a new sketch from Seize the Sketch.  The colors (inspired by this dress) as well as the sketch (designed by Katie Melus) are a match made in heaven!

I used a little grungy stamp for a background then went to town using the other gorgeous colors.  I wanted to use a little floral collage so I combined some old SU images with some new SU and created this.

Be sure to check out the colorQ and Seize the Sketch challenges.  There are cards there that are amazing!   Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Flower Patch, Off the Grid, Raining Flowers dies (My Favorite Thing)

Paper:  Early Epresso, Summer Starfruit, Tim Holtz (has some energy party girl)

Ink:  Early Espresso, Summer Starfruit, Tempting Turquoise

Accesories:  Chocolate Iridescent sequins, Wink of Stella pen

colourQ 251 and Seize the Sketch 25

Happy Tuesday and welcome to my own personal installment of the new palette at colourQ and the new layout at Seize the Sketch.  I have no problem admitting that the colors, inspired by this bracelet, were really hard for me to combine!  The sketch, designed by Mona Pendleton, is a great one with lots of layers and room for embellishment and ended up working perfectly with the colors.

This card is kind of growing on me, but at first when I finished it all I could think is "what a hot mess this is!"  These colors, together, are not something I would normally put together but they really do work and after getting a look at the cards from the colourQ design team I saw how beautifully they can be combined!  

And I have another teeny weeny confession to make.  The bottom layer (with the polka dots) is Concord Crush and I had an old pack of SU buttons that I thought were the same color so I happily attached it to my card.  It wasn't until it was stuck fast that I realized the button is actually Night of Navy.  But honestly in real life the color of the cardstock and the button look identical!  Lucky me!

I hope you have a chance to play along with colourQ or Seize the Sketch (or both)!  We all love to see you in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Kinda Eclectic, Gorgeous Grunge (SU)

Paper:  Classic White (Flourishes); Concord Crush, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Whisper White (SU)

Ink:  Calypso Coral, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink (SU); White (WPlus9)

Accessories:  Chevron Stripe die (My Favorite Things); Springtime Vintage button, Basic Pearls (SU); Berry Blend sequins (Avery Elle); crochet thread

colourQ 249 and Seize the Sketch 24

Are you ready for some groovy colors and a great sketch today?   Well if you are then you've come to the right place!  There's a new palette at colourQ and the inspiration photo will transport you right back to the days of The Partridge Family when you used to drool over David Cassidy.  C'mon don't try to pretend you didn't!  And at Seize the Sketch our hostess this week is Vicki Dutcher who has got an amazing eye for color and is not afraid to create bold designs.  So let's get to it!

I was very excited to pull some More Mustard out of my stamping stash, since I haven't used that color in a dog's age.  I search vainly around my stash for some companion patterned paper but couldn't come with anything so I used the next best thing:  embossing paste in a cool polka dotted design.  It adds great texture and doesn't make the More Mustard layer look so boring!

It occurred to me after I put this together and added the sentiment that these funky flowers look a bit like fireworks.  And that certainly plays to the whole 'celebrate' sentiment I think!  Maybe next year I'll use these on a card celebrating our American Independence!

Alrighty then, you know what comes next.  I don't need to tell you (but I will) that the colourQ design team and the Seize the Sketch design team have got some great projects to inspire you so make some time to check them out.  You won't be sorry!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Funky Florals (Papertrey Ink); Label Love (Altenew)

Paper:  Island Indigo, More Mustard, Coastal Cabana (SU); Solar White (Neenah)

Ink:  More Mustard, Poppy Parade (SU); Black Licorice (My Favorite Things)

Accessories:  Bubble stencil (Tim Holtz); Pierced Rectangle STAX (My Favorite Things); translucent embossing paste (Dreamweaver); My Girl Enamel  Dots (My Mind's Eye); Springs Sprinklers (October Afternoon)

colourQ 247 and Seize the Sketch 23

I got some fun new stuff in the mail the other day and finally had a chance to try some of it out - just in time for the reveal of the new color palette at colourQ, (which was inspired by this adorable toddler's dress) and the latest sketch at Seize the Sketch, designed by our very own Lee Ann Barrett!

I actually started out with a different idea for this card and as I sat pondering what I was going to do with the oval on the sketch I looked down and saw this brand spankin' new die from Paper Smooches and it was like a light bulb went off in my head!  A few passes through my big shot and my idea was complete!  I inlaid the "hello" sentiment right into the pink cardstock and threw on some red sequins to take up some of that blank space (although they look anything but red in the picture).

I've had a look at the design team cards for colourQ and Seize the Sketch and they are pretty terrific so be sure to check them out.  I hope you can join us!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Paper:  Classic White (Flourishes); Solar White (Neenah); Sweet Blush (Papertrey Ink); Bashful Blue, Island Indigo, Real Red, Island Indigo DSP (SU)

Accessories:  Quote Tag die (Paper Smooches); seam binding ribbon; baker's twine; crochet thread; sequins

colourQ 245 and Seize the Sketch 22

Every other Tuesday I get to show off some extra fun stuff here.  That's because this Tuesday is the debut of a new color palette from colourQ and a new sketch from Seize the Sketch.  This week at colourQ Arielle has found some great colors inspired by these fabric lanterns and over at Seize the Sketch our hostess is the super talented Lori Tecler whose cards range from cute and whimsical to classic CAS!

I thought I was in serious trouble with this eclectic color palette and procrastinated quite a long time about making this card but once I got going with my design the whole thing just sort of flowed together.  I love when that happens!  The sketch has a wonderful layout that is perfect for showing off pretty patterned paper and the shapes can be easily interpreted to show off your own design.  I tend to be quite literal when I follow a sketch (that's the left-brain banker talking) so I followed the layout to a "T" but our amazing STS design team has quite a collection of interpretations of this sketch to inspire you so be sure to head on over there to check them out.

And not to be outdone, my friends on the colourQ design team have created some cards and scrapbook layouts that will make you heart go pitter-patter!  Don't forget to pop on over there too!  And in the meantime, I hope you have time to join either or both of these challenges.  We always love to see your designs in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Summer Silhouettes, Off the Grid (SU); Take Note (Verve)

Paper:  Classic White (Flourishes); Solar White (Neenah); Whisper White, Coastal Cabana, Pacific Point (SU)

Ink:  Summer Starfruit, Calypso Coral (SU); Onyx Black (Versafine)

Accessories:  Pierced Square STAX (My Favorite Things)

colourQ 243 and Seize the Sketch #21

It's that time again when I get to show you a card that I made using the newest color palette at colourQ and the layout from Seize the Sketch.  This week the colors are inspired by this shower curtain with its riot of flowers and the sketch comes to you from the sweet and talented Lori Turner.

Don't you love this sketch!  That rectangular layer has SO many possibilities.  I took the opportunity to use it to show off this gorgeous leafy die along with a couple of wee flowers and a layered butterfly.  I didn't use any stamps on this card (which is rare for me) because I couldn't figure out exactly where I wanted to place a sentiment.  I didn't want to mess with the lines of the die cuts, so I think I'll end up leaving this one plain.  That way I can use it for just about any occasion and when I need it I can stamp a sentiment on the inside!  

There's loads of inspiration over at colourQ and Seize the Sketch so head on over there to check out the beautiful projects from the design teams and get all the details for playing along with us.  I can hardly wait to see how you interpret this sketch and these colors!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Paper:  White Linen (Ellen Hutson); Winter Wisteria (Papertrey Ink); Certainly Celery, Bermuda Bay, Tangerine Tango, Vellum (SU)

Accessories:  Palm Fancy die (Hero Arts); Delaney Butterfly die, Cheviot Butterfly die (Poppystamps); Bricked embossing folder (Tim Holtz); Boho Blossom punch, Basic Pearls (SU)

colourQ 241 and Seize the Sketch 20

I'm so lucky because every other Tuesday I get to show you a card I've made for colourQ and Seize the Sketch!  Today the color palette is inspired by this beautiful necklace and the sketch is designed by Lesley.

My translucent embossing paste was feeling a little neglected so I used it to create these diagonal stripes on the center of my card.  I love how that stuff looks!  And I finally got a chance to ink up this beautiful PTI feather.  There's a bit of gold embossing on it that's hard to see in the photo but it looks a little oo-la-la in real life!

Don't forget to check out the challenges at colourQ and Seize the Sketch.  The design teams have created some fantastic projects to inspire you.  And you can also get all the details for playing along!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Feather Finery (Papertrey Ink); Fancy Feathers (Clearly Besotted)

Paper:  Classic White (Flourishes); Solar White (Neenah); Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Pool Party, Gold Foil (SU)

Ink:  Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink); Tempting Turquoise (SU); Distress Embossing Ink (Tim Holtz)

Accessories:  Diagonal Stripe stencil (Simon Says Stamp); translucent embossing paste (Dreamweaver); Naturals button, gold cord (SU); gold embossing powder

colourQ 239 and Seize the Sketch 19

Happy Tuesday!  Today I've melded the beautiful colors from colourQ and the latest sketch from Seize the Sketch to make a little "thinking of you" card.

The colors are inspired by this dress and the sketch comes to you from Jessi Fogan (I love all those little flags)!  I used some really, really old SU DSP for the background layer on my card and I'll admit it was hard to cut into it.  (If you've been here before you may remember that I've mentioned a time or two that I've got a giant stash of patterned paper that I've been slowly working my way through).  Occasionally I come across a particular favorite in my stash and in moments of weakness, I cut it up.  It's for the best really.

I love sketches like this with a big layer on it that is just perfect for anything your imagination can cook up!  I used it to show off these beautiful colors with some stems and butterflies.

Be sure to check out the inspiration from colourQ and Seize the Sketch because there are some great cards all around for you to see!  Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Grand Peaceful Wildflowers, Winged Beauties (My Favorite Things)

Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Whisper White, Berry Bliss DSP (SU)

Ink:  Ripe Avocado (Papertrey Ink); Tuxedo Black (Memento); Calypso Coral, Pumpkin Pie (SU); Copics

Accessories:  Winged Beauties die (My Favorite Things); Banner Bundle die (Verve)

colourQ 237 and Seize the Sketch 18

Hello, hello!  It's Tuesday so that means the big reveal of a new colour palette at colourQ and a new sketch from Seize the Sketch.  This week Arielle has found color inspiration in this gorgeous bag and our sketch is designed by Jessica!  So let's get to it.

I dipped into my very precious supply of Walk in the Park DSP for this card.  There's no sense having all this pretty paper if I can't show it off every so often (is what I said to myself as I put the paper under the knife).  Seriously, I've been on a mission to use up my existing stash of patterned paper FOREVER and I think it must be secretly multiplying when I'm not looking because I don't feel like I'm all that much closer to seeing the end of it.  So using a treasured bit of paper is really no hardship.  Not. At. All.

I took an inordinately long time arranging the white thread on my card.  I wanted it to appear like it randomly appeared and was not contrived in any way, which is actually harder than it looks.  I think I fiddled with it for about 10 minutes before I was satisfied that it didn't look like I spent 10 minutes fiddling with it.

So you know the drill.  My stamping friends at both colourQ and Seize the Sketch would love it if you joined us for these challenges.  Just hop on over to the blogs to check out the details.  And while you're there I guarantee that you will be awed and amazed at the cards the design teams have created.  See you in the gallery!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Subway Series:  Basics (Fresh Squeezed Stamps)

Paper:  Basic Gray, So Saffron, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Walk in the Park DSP (SU)

Ink:  Basic Gray, Peach Parfait (SU)

Accessories:  Vertical Greetings II die (My Favorite Things); My Girl enamel dots (My Mind's Eye)

colourQ 235 and Seize the Sketch 17

Is it April Fool's already?  It sure doesn't feel like it to me!  I haven't got any jokes to share but I do have a card for the newest color palette from colourQ and the latest design from Seize the Sketch, which just happens to be designed by little ol' me!

I recently took the clean and simple Online Card Class and one of the techniques that was demonstrated was making your own plaid.  Basically you mask off strips on some card stock and sponge away.  I was a little intimidated to try this at first, sure that I would make a big mess.  What colors would look good together?  How would I arrange them?  But then I saw these gorgeous colourQ colors I knew that Arielle did the hard work of choosing the colors so I couldn't possibly mess up the design!  I'm so glad I tried it because I love these colors and I think they make a pretty fab plaid!

After I expended all that energy making the plaid I was stumped on a design for the rest of my card.  (I may have designed the sketch, but that doesn't mean that I knew what I wanted to do with it, LOL) so my friend Rita suggested using vellum.  She's so smart because this was a fantastic idea!  The plaid still shows through the vellum and I'm left with a fun interpretation of the sketch!  

My crafting teamies at colourQ and Seize the Sketch have created some awesome crafty goodness for you to see!  So be sure to head over and check them out!  Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Paper:  River Rock, Calypso Coral, Whisper White

Ink:  River Rock, Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, Primrose Petals

Accessories:  Happy Hellos die (My Favorite Things); River Rock ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware (SU); crochet thread

colourQ 233 and Seize the Sketch 16

Happy Tuesday!  Today I've got an exciting blend of color and sketch!  The colors are the latest gorgeous palette from colourQ inspired by this bedding and the sketch is brought to you by the uber talented Jen Nelson for Seize the Sketch.  So let's get to it!

My supply of Going Gray is dwindling and I don't know where to find a substitute.  (If you know of one, I'd love to hear about it).  It's a lovely gray and I chose to use it for my card base here.  I thought that Indigo Island looked pretty fantastic next to it, especially once I added the stripes done in translucent embossing paste.  However, in true form, I discovered that once my card was made I had left off the banners on the sketch so improvised by using some hardware and ribbon on the opposite side of the square layer.

My teamies at colourQ and Seize the Sketch have got some projects that are designed to amaze and delight you into joining us this week in our challenges.  And this week we welcome two new designers to our Seize the Sketch team!  Katie Melhus and Lee Ann Barrett!  Be sure to pop on by their blogs and say Hi!!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Summer Silhouettes (SU); Truth Is (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)

Paper:  Going Gray, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White (SU)

Ink:  Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Basic Gray (SU)

Accessories:  Diagonal Stripes stencil (Simon Says Stamp), Translucent embossing paste (Dreamweaver); Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware, Mistletoe ribbon (SU); Gray baker's twine (Doodlebug Designs)

colourQ 231 and Seize the Sketch 15

Happy Tuesday!  Today there's a new color palette at colourQ and a new sketch from Seize the Sketch designed by Cathy.  Since St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner it's appropriate that Arielle chose the colors from this tea set.

I found this shamrock stamp in my stash.  I'm pretty sure that I got it in the dollar bin at Michael's a million years ago.  I don't own a lot of St. Patrick's Day stamps (my Irish grandfather would be so sad), but this one happens to be my favorite.  And in an effort to use my stencils and embossing paste, I created the vertical layer in the sketch with these hexagons.  I thought they looked a little plain so I dusted them with some green Perfect Pearls.  Big mistake.  Although they are kind of sparkly in real life, here they looked smudged, like they got run over by the car in the driveway.

Go check out the colourQ and Seize the Sketch challenges and see all the amazing card the design teams have created.  Hopefully you'll have time to join us!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Distressed Grid (Creative Embellishments)

Paper:  White Linen (Ellen Hutson); Basic Gray, Glorious Green, Urban Oasis DSP (SU); Neenah Solar White

Ink:  Gumball Green

Accessories:  Chevron stencil (Heidi Swapp); Starburst Framelit (SU); embossing paste (Dreamweaver); baker's twine (American Crafts); Cakewalk button (October Afternoon); Perfect Pearls (Ranger)