Dream SFYTT

Happy Wednesday! Things are a getting a little better at our house today... although my youngest boy now has a bad head cold. Poor thing. Anyway, here is my submission for Jen's Sketch For You To Try this week over at I{heart}2Stamp! I used some older designer paper by Basic Grey from their Blush collection. I still love it! I also used sentiment stamps from Papertrey Ink's "Spiral Bouquet" stamp set, and rounded the corners instead of cutting an oval (because I'm still waiting for my oval nesties to arrive!). I trimmed the right edge of the card, exposing the inner card underneath, and I punched that edge with a scalloped border punch. It turned out okay, but not my favorite. Onward and upward! Thanks for looking!

Paper: "Blush" designer paper (Basic Grey); accent cardstock (Bazzill)

Ink: Timber Brown (Stazon)

Stamps: Spiral Bouquet (Papertrey)

Accessories: scalloped border punch (Fiskars); flowers (Prima and Kaisercraft); large antiqued brad; corner rounder

Elzybells Wishes - AMYRS3

This week has been challenging... but I'm happy to finally be posting my submission for Amy R.'s Friday Sketch challenge this week over at Prairie Paper & Ink! I used an adorable image stamp and sentiment from Elzybells that I just love! I also dug up some fun paper from Bo Bunny from their "Vinage Carnival" line, which was actually designed by Shabby Princess. Once I figure out the digital scrap thing, I plan to download lots of papers from Shabby Princess designs! They're gorgeous! Anyway, here are the stats:

Paper: Vintage Carnival (Bo Bunny - Shabby Princess); accent cardstock (Bazzill)

Ink: Timber Brown (Stazon); watercolor pencils (Prismacolor)

Stamps: Moon Girl and Make a Wish (Elzybells)

Accessories: scalloped circle and circle dies (Nestabilities); sentiment window punch (SU); adhesive candy dots (Pebbles); scallop border punch (EK Success); ribbon (May Arts)

Praying for You WSC82

Here's my submission for this week's Weekend Sketch Challenge hosted by the wonderfully talented (and beautiful) Mary Jo Albright!  I pulled out the "Grandpa Floral" Wild Asparagus designer paper again... because it's just so pretty... but this time I used the tree image and a sentiment from Stampin' Up's "Thoughts and Prayers" stamp set.  I used markers to color the tree before stamping it, and made a faux button by punching a circle out of cardstock, piercing little holes in it, and drawing thread lines on it.  Turned out kinda cute if you ask me!  

Paper:  Grandpa Floral (Wild Asparagus - MME)

Stamps:  Thoughts and Prayers (SU)
Ink: Timber Brown (Stazon); markers (SU)
Accessories: tiny rhinestone gems (Kaisercraft); grey velvet ric-rac; circle punch and corner rounder (EK Success); paper piercer; sponge for edges; dimensionals (SU)

Lemongrass MOJO87

My submission for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge was made with designer paper from Crate Paper's "Lemongrass" collection... which I LOVE!  I used a mushroom stamp from A Muse and colored it with watercolor pencils (dying for Copics, but need to find a money tree).  I wasn't sure what to put in the middle square of the sketch, but was really happy once I put a butterfly there!  I punched it with a punch from Martha Stewart and jazzed it up with Stickles and pearls.  I also added Stickles to the dots on the mushrooms, and to the white spots on the bottom designer paper.  I just wished Stickles didn't take so long to dry! 

Paper:  "Tangerine," "Orchard" and "Citrus" from the Lemongrass collection (Crate Paper); accent cardstock (Bazzill)

Ink:  timber brown (Stazon); watercolor pencils (PrismaColor)

Stamp:  mushrooms (A Muse)

Accessories:  glitter glue (Stickles); butterfly punch (Martha Stewart); adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); circle and scallop die cuts (Nestabilities); dimensionals adhesive foam (SU); scallop border punch (EK Success) 

Sweet Stems Tea Party CPS116

Happy Friday! I'm so glad the long holiday weekend has started! The weather is supposed to be decent all weekend... upper 80's... perfect! Here is my submission for this week's sketch challenge over at Card Positioning Systems, which is being hosted by Stamping Bella (one of my favorite companies!). I don't know yet what they're giving away, but I hope I win! I just love their stamps!

Paper: Tea Party designer paper (Stampin' Up); accent cardstock (SU)
Stamp: Sweet Stems (SU)

Ink: Stazon black; watercolor pencils
Accessories: adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); green ribbon (SU); dimensionals foam dots (SU)

Believe - AMYRS67

Alrighty! I'm *finally* getting back into the swing of things. I also signed up for scrappy hour at Green Tangerines this Saturday night so I can get some creating done! Anyway... here's my submission for Amy's Friday Sketch Challenge this week. I used a zinnia flower stamp from Savvy Stamps, cut it out with the oval Coluzzle (must get oval nesties!) and colored it with watercolor pencils. I used paper by Daisy Bucket Designs from their "Garden Gate" line and sponged the edges. I also used antiqued brads and ribbon from Stampin' Up. Thanks for looking!

Stamp: zinnia flower (Savvy Stamps); believe (Studio G)

Ink: Timber brown (Stazon); watercolor pencils

Paper: "Garden Gate" (Daisy Bucket Designs)

Accessories: antiqued brads; red ribbon (Stampin' Up); oval template (Coluzzle); corner rounder; dimensionals; sponge

Just Because - WSC81

Here is my submission to the Weekend Sketch Challenge, hosted this week by the very talented Charmaine at Oodabug Alley! I used designer paper by Wild Asparagus (MME) from their "Grandpa" line. I just love the colors! The main floral image stamp is from Hero Arts, the sentiment stamp is from Studio G, and the circle dot and little flower stamps are both from Stampin' Up's "Think Happy Thoughts" set. The card took longer than I thought to make, but then again, it's the first card made in my new craft space! I will be much more efficient as I get used to where I put everything!

Paper: "Grandpa Plaid" and "Grandpa Floral" by Wild Asparagus (My Mind's Eye)
Stamps: flower bouquet from "Cherish" set (Hero Arts - Cleardesign); "Just Because" sentiment (Studio G); Think Happy Thoughts (SU)
Ink: Timber Brown (Stazon); water color pencils (Prismacolor)
Accessories: tiny blue rhinestone gems and clear gem (Hero Arts); sheer gray ribbon (JoAnn); circle punches (EK Success); sponge for edges; dimensionals (SU)

My Craft Space!

Yay! I finally got my new craft space put together! Mind you, it is REALLY small, but I managed to squeeze a lot in. My husband cleared out the window alcove in his office, as well as a bookcase, so I could set up shop. I'm posting a few photos of my itty- bitty craft space, but I haven't actually created anything there yet! I will have to borrow the chair from my husband's desk when I create, and my legs will only go about 10 inches deep under my little 4-foot by 2-foot table... but I will MAKE it work! I'm just so excited to finally have a space!

So Glad We're Friends - MOJO86

Ahhh... at long last! I have been remiss in posting this week. I intended to post at least every other day, but... you know... life happens! I have one boy with pink eye, another with fussy-itis, and we're all getting cabin fever from staying home! I'm also "in transition" with my newly cleared craft space in my husband's office, so I keep putting off my creations until I get all set up... but you know how that goes! I ended up having to dig out of my rolling totes to make this week's Mojo submission after the kiddos were asleep. Anyhoo... here's what I came up with! I punched the flowers out of a patterned paper by Amanda Blu called Elle Floral Black, adhered them with adhesive foam, and placed a clear drop in the middle. I had a hard time finding an image for the center panel. A floral stamp looked odd to me with the flowers on the side... and most of my images are wider than the panel (guess that means I get to buy some narrower images!). I ended up using a sentiment from a Stampin' Up hostess set called Best Yet. I stamped a light blue leaf behind the sentiment but the photo doesn't show it well. The leaf is a stamp from the "Spiral Bouquet" set by PaperTrey Ink. I just love the colors in this paper!

Paper: Elle Stripe, Elle Leaves, and Elle Floral Black (Amanda Blu & Co.); cardstock (Bazzill)

Stamps: Best Yet (SU); Spiral Bouquet (PaperTrey)

Ink: black (Stazon) ; light blue marker (Marvy)

Accessories: clear drops (KaiserCraft); scallop blade (Cutterpede); scallop circle punch (Marvy Uchida); dimensionals (SU)

Shroomin' SFYTT

For this week's Sketch For You To Try over at Jen Del Muro's blog, "I {heart} 2 Stamp," I created a card using a clear stamp set of mushrooms by Hero Arts.  I also dug out some fun papers by A2Z Essentials from their "What's New Club" line.  I just love the color combo!  I also jazzed it up with some adhesive rhinestones, and pierced the white scallop circle.  To top it off, I added a little butterfly that I punched from a Martha Stewart punch and gave the body some adhesive pearls.  I dig it!

Stamp:  mushrooms (Hero Arts)

Ink:  Timber Brown Stazon; watercolor pencils

Paper:  What's New Club (A2Z Essentials); cardstock (Bazzill)

Accessories:  adhesive rhinestone gems and pearls (Kaisercraft); butterfly punch (Martha Stewart); scallop and circle punches (Marvy Uchida); paper piercer

WSC80 - My Friend Poppy!

I just LOVE poppies!  They're my second favorite flower after tulips!  I shopped at the Paper Garden yesterday and picked up a few things (I should have paid cash and hid the receipt!).  I got the modern poppy stamp by A Muse and used it in my Weekend Sketch Challenge submission this week hosted by Cambria Turnbow.  I also dug up a paper by Basic Grey from their Blush collection.  I'm really pleased with how it turned out!

Paper: Blush "Admire" (Basic Grey)
Stamps: Hi Friend and Modern Poppy (both from A Muse)
Ink: Timber Brown Stazon; watercolor pencils
Accessories: flowers (Prima); ribbon (May Arts and Stampin' Up); rhinestone gem and pearls (Kaisercraft); fruit punch Stickles; oval and scallop circle punches (Marvy Uchida)

Happy Mother's Day!! I get a new craft space!

Yay!!!!  My husband has finally agreed to clear me a small space in his office (he works from home) so I can set up my paper craft stuff!  No more crafting out of rolling totes!  I'll be able to just pop into the office and whip up a creation without having to put everything away!  I am so excited!  I will post photos of my finished space once I get to that point.  I'm trying to be as frugal as possible... I even ordered a folding table on sale from an office supply store.  Nothing lavish here!  Stay tuned!

My own sketch - Sweet Stems

This is one of my own sketches that I created a while ago... I actually posted this card a few posts back with another card, but I didn't include the sketch I designed to go with it!  So, here it is, and this is one of my many sketches that I shared with Amy!  

I'm a Guest Sketch Designer on Prairie Paper & Ink!!!

I'm so excited!  I am actually now a guest sketch designer for Amy's Friday Sketch Challenge over at Prairie Paper & Ink... and she's going to use my layouts once a month!  Here is my first layout she used, and my sample.  I can't wait to see what others come up with!  Yay me!   Thank you Amy!!!

Paper: Tea Party dp (SU); accent cardstock (SU)
Stamps: Sweet Stems (SU); Friends (Studio G)
Ink: Stazon black; SU markers
Accessories: tiny pearls (Kaisercraft); scallop and circle punches (Marvy Uchida)

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge #85

Here is my submission for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge over at the Mojo Monday Sketch Blog.  I dug up patterned paper from A2Z Essentials from their Sugar Candy line, and used Bazzill cardstock.  The green leaf background under the sentiment is actually from the Papertrey Ink "Spiral Bouquet" set, and the Ghandi quote is from the Stampin' Up "Happy Harmony" set.  I wasn't too sure about the patterned paper, but I think it turned out pretty good overall.  Here are the stats:

Paper: Sugar Candy - "Emma" and "Maddelyn" (A2Z Essentials)
Stamps: Spiral Bouquet (Papertrey Ink); Happy Harmony (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Timber Brown Stazon; Stampin' Up marker
Accessories: flowers (Prima); border punch (Fiskars); white gel pen

For You AMYRS66

Happy Tuesday! It's dreary weather here today, but at least it's not raining! I think I'll stay in with the boys today... they're both being really good and could probably stand to be in the house all day. We'll see!

Last night I whipped up a submission for Amy's Friday Sketch Challenge over at Prairie Paper and Ink! I just love Amy's work! She even has her own stamp line at All That Scraps! And her tutorial blog videos ROCK! Anyway, I dug up a dp by We R Memory Keepers called Pewter Press, from their Precious Metals line. I used "Jardin" and "Puntos" from that line. I cut the circles and the flowers from one dp, and used adhesive pearls in the center. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up. Here are the stats:

Paper: Precious Metals - Pewter Press "Jardin" and "Puntos" (We R Memory Keepers); cardstock (Bazzill)
Ink: Brown Stazon; markers (SU)
Stamp: One of a Kind (SU)
Accessories: adhesive pearls (Kaisercraft); flower (Prima); corner rounder; scallop circle punch (Marvy Uchida)

Weekend Sketch Challenge 79

Here is my submission for the Weekend Sketch Challenge, hosted this week by Jenn Balcer! I used dp from the Hey Fellas line by Kate Teague for Fontwerks. I thought it could be a pseudo father's day card, but I'm not sure if it's masculine enough. I cut the swirly flower from one of the dp's and put a rhinestone gem in the middle. The stamp is from the dollar bin at Michael's. Here are the rest of the stats:

Paper: "Hey Darcy" and "Hey Paul" (Hey Fellas by Kate Teague for Fontworks); cardstock (Bazzill)
Ink: Brown Stazon; markers (SU)
Stamp: unknown (Michael's--Studio G?)
Accessories: copper Stickles; rhinestone gem (Kaisercraft)

This week's CPS challenge!

I found another popular weekly card sketch challege! This one is at the Card Positioning Systems blog (CPS). They appear to have a pretty big following. Apparently there is a sponsor each week for prizes for the best sketch. This week's sponsor is Cornish Heritage Farms. I wasn't able to use any of their stuff in my card design because I don't have any, so we'll see how it goes! I used a saying from Stampin' Up as well as the flowers from the One of A Kind stamp set. There's a matching punch for the flowers so I stamped them with black Stazon and punched them out. Then I colored the flowers with the new Smooch pearlescent accent ink from Clearsnap! Smooch ROCKS! It colored right over the black ink! I took a second picture of my card at an angle so you can see the pearlescence a little better. Anyway, here are the stats:

Stamp: Time Well Spent (SU); One of A Kind flowers w/matching punch (SU)
Paper: Bloom & Grow dp (MME); cardstock (SU)
Ink: Black Stazon; Smooch pearlescent accent ink (Clearsnap)

Accessories: rhinestone gems (Colorbok; Kaisercraft); May Arts ric-rac ribbon; dimensionals