Catching up On Sketches!

Here are a few of the latest sketches from Operation Write Home.

Sketch # 142

     This sketch is my favorite, since it allows you to pick random scraps and create on a blank canvas.  I used a Kraft base, a small shipping tag, and a Prima flower w/ pearl.  For my stamps, I used a Thank You from Impression Obsession.  There is a swirl from Scrappy Cat under the Prima.

Sketch # 141

     I am not sure why, but I always have lots of trouble with circles.  For this card, I used an oak tag base, scraps of teal and pink, and a designer paper from K&Co.  My sentiment is from IO's set called Cupcake MC181.  I used a Cuttlebug EF for some texture.  This sweet pre-colored image is from Beary Wishes.  There are a few teal pearls as embellishments.

Sketch # 140 

     For this sketch, I wanted to do a masculine cards, so I gathered up my black and white scraps.  I found this fish paper I had printed off and just ran with it.  My sentiment is from Rubbernecker Stamps, and the dangling line stamp is from Mail Expressions.  I used a Scrappy Cat flourish to add a little movement to the sentiment.  My only embellishments are black mini brads.

     That's it for me!  Thanks for stopping by!

A Double Post

      Good Morning, friends.  Phew, it has been a long week!  For those of you who sent me well wishes, thanks. I have been sick since last Friday, been through a course of antibiotic (which did nothing), and had a return trip to the Dr.'s last evening which pretty much was no help.  They gave me nothing stronger, did a throat culture that might be back middle of next week, and a pat on the back saying they "Hope I Round The Bend Soon".  Oh, and now they think it is the real flu.  On to my cards.

     My first card is for Simon Says Stamp, where the challenge is to use Dies and Punches.  I used their exclusive Fresh Daisies die, which I borrowed from a dear friend.  I started with a base of Soft Sand card stock, with layers of Wild Asparagus designer paper.  The sentiment is unknown, and three little brads were added as embellishments.  Oops, I forgot to mention the paisley Cuttlebug EF I used.

      Card two is for the OWH and their Mid-week Throw down, on the Stars and Stamps Blog.  We are asked to make an Anniversary or Love Card.  I found this cute digi in my stash, which only has the markings that say cuddlebirds1.  The sentiment is from Craft Smart.  My coloring was done with Copic markers, and sponging is in Cameo Coral from SU!.  I used Nestabilities Long Classic Scalloped Rectangles Small to cut my image.  I chopped up some bling, added a heart, and piled it all onto some random scrap papers.

     That's it for me right now.  Hope I can keep this body in a sitting position to do more.  Have a great weekend.  P.S. Sorry I have not been around commenting so much.

Unity WCMD Challenges 1-8 plus bonuses

     Grab a drink of choice, it's going to be a long one!  Unity came up with 8 challenges and 2 bonus entries, to celebrate World Card Making Day.  The good news for me, was that we have until Oct 20th to finish.  Please be sure to spend some time over on the Unity Blog, checking out all the amazing entries!

I am going to be quick with each challenge, so if you need more details, please email me.

Challenge #1 Is to create a Shape Card!  Stamps are from July 2009 KOM.  I used a blue ticking paper, and ribbon made from red bandana.  Coloring is with Copic Markers.  Yep, my shape is a tag.

Challenge #2 is Texture Challenge. I used white, textured forrest green and a striped dp. There is half of a paper doily, some eyelash fiber, skeleton leaves, punches, and a molded flower.  My sentiment is from a Unity grab Bag.

Challenge #3 is for Embossing.  I used a new technique to me, which is to emboss in white, and color on top of the embossing with Copic Markers.  My stamps are from KOM 7/11 Better Together.  I added this pretty ribbon scrap, and gem with felt.

Challenge #4 is a Sketch Challenge.  I used a sweet heart stamp, also from a Unity Grab Bag.  My purple card stock is Bazzill, and I used a Sizzix ef for the texture on the half circle.  ink is Distress in and a touch of Copic.  Buttons and embroidery floss are accents, as are loops from a MS corner punch.

Challenge #5 is to create a Fall Card.  I used stamps from a set called Harvest of Memories.  I used strips of fall colored card stock, and stamped my leaves on scraps of dp, fussy cut and popped in layers.  My bottom pumpkin leaves have Shimmerzs spritzed on them.

Challenge #6  Is to create a Stamped Border.  My border is created using a small leaf and decorative circle found in my Unity Grab Bag.  The sentiment is from there, as well.  This is a very CAS design.  I used designer paper from my scrap bin and applied Crystal Lacquer to the circles..

Challenge #7 is a Coloring Challenge.  I used my only Phyllis Harris set, called Your Wings Exist,  and Colored with Copic Markers. I used a Cuttlebug folder for some texture and a chevron card stock from Amuse as my base.  Bakers twine and a pearl finish it off.

Challenge #8 is a Color Challenge.  We are to use Olive, Pumpkin, Cream, and Brown.  I found this cute Farm stamp in KOM 7/11, colored it up with colored pencils and OMS.  Made a little swag, added a little hex border from my friend Carol, the flower was sitting on my desk already made.  The card stock is pumpkin spice and the dp is from Memory Box's Blackbird collection.  Sentiment is from the same kit.

Bonus #1 Is the Unity Challenge, which I had completed and posted HERE.  It is for Pennants and Banners.

Bonus #2 is the KOM Sketch Challenge, at Unity.  I used stamps from the July 2011 kit.  My papers are scraps from Basic Grey.  I punched the button holes in the flowers and threaded twine in them.  The flowers were white embossed and fussy cut.  My card base is soft sand.

Thanks for hanging in there with me.  I know this was long.  You still have time to play along, so pull out those Unity Stamps!

Friends with Flair... a little spooky!

     I created a little Halloween card for a girl friend.  The bottom half of my card is stamped with images from the September, Unity KOM, call The Vintage Touch, stamped in Versafine ink.  I added a few K&Co die cuts.  I also added a Cheery Lynn mini flourish, and my first purchase of Washi tapes.  I just love the way the domino background worked as a border!  Oh, and my base is out of Amuse card stock, which was a gift.

     Please check out all of the great designers that have linked up on the Unity Blog.  You may even win a prize.  I was lucky enough to be a winner for just leaving a comment last week.  I received some yummy Unity stamps, which I hope to play with this weekend.  

AI Challenge #82

     Here is a quick post for the Art Impressions Challenge this week.  The theme is Banners and Buntings.  I did not have anything Art Impressions to use but loved the idea for the challenge.

     I used soft sand and white, Pure Luxury cs for the base and layered with unknown designer paper.  My bunting was paper pieced with coordinating solids and embellished with gems.  Inside sentiment is "Until I see you".  All stamps are from Unity.

     I would also like to enter this over at Simon Says Stamp, where there is an Anything Goes Challenge.

     I will also enter this for the Unity Challenge for September.  It is Pennants and Banners!

     That's it for now.  This card will be great for the OWH box!  Thanks for stopping by.  Looks like I better go hunt up an umbrella!

Friends with Flair.... Yay!

      Morning!  I just got a call from my boss, telling me there is a fire scene on my route to work.  I guess I will stall a little and  post my cards made with Unity stamps, for this week.  I just love Friday's and Friends with Flair!

     Card one, uses the September KOM, called Vintage Touch.  My designer paper is from my stash, and I paper pieced the thimble, and glazed the little heart.  I cut my large, fancy square with a SB Shapeabilities Pendant called Fleur De Lis.  I also glazed the scissors, and added pearls as corner accents to my die.

I am also going to enter this over at The House That Stamps Built, where my friend Patti J. is hostess to a paper piecing challenge, this week.

     Card two is made using my KOM from June 2011.  The card base is pumpkin spice card stock with a layer of PB&J designer paper from Basic Grey.  I printed out this little bird, fussy cut it, and added glaze.  For embellishments I used some flowers with gems.

     Hope you have a great start to your weekend!  I get to see both of my married kids, so that should make for fun times!

This Week at Joan's Gardens

     I had a few minutes this morning, before work, and could not resist making a card for this weeks challenge over at Joan's Gardens!  It is challenge # 34.

Here are the details:
* Use blue and white
* Include a snowman
* Include a tree
* Use a corner embellishment

     My papers are digital, and home printed.  My snowman is a digi from Jellypark Friends.  The sentiment is from Heidi Grace's clear For You stamp set.  My corner elements are from Parisian Motifs by Spellbinders. I added white Inkssentials Enamel Accents to my background to create texture.  Coloring was done with Copic Markers.

     Looks like we are in for a rainy week, here in PA.  Maybe I will be a bit more productive, since the gorgeous fall weather has kept me drawn to the outside.  Have a wonderful day!

My House Mouse Post....oh, and a recipe

     It's time for a  new  challenge over on The House Mouse Monday Blog.  It is Challenge #129, Autumn or Harvest.

     I had a few stamps to choose from, but I decided to use Jumping For Joy (Monica), again.  The papers were a gift, and I am not sure of the maker.  The one leaf paper has rubberized texture leaves, which is so cool in real life.  I added cascading leaves from an EK Success border punch, which I cut apart.  The sheer ribbon was recycled from a gift.  My only other addition are assorted fall gems.  The sentiment is from Sweet n Sassy Stamps.

     That is it for now.  Need to get dinner made, and some yard work done before dark.  There will be easy peasy mini tacos as our meal tonight.  Yum!  Season you taco meat as usual, spray a cupcake pan, and line each cup with a wonton wrapper.  Spoon in the meat and top with shredded cheese.  Bake for 8 minutes at 350.  Top with sauce, chopped tomatoes, and a dab of sour cream.  We also add some chopped onion to suit our taste. Light, plus very filling!  I always make extra meat for later in the week.  Here is a tip:  I had a hard time finding the wonton wrappers, and I finally found them at Super Walmart in the cooler case next to the bakery.  They also have egg roll wrappers which work great with pulled pork and cheese.  Sounds like football snacks, huh?

Repeat Impressions Sketch

     My mojo has gone on a little vacation, so I am pushing to create.  I must apologize ahead of time for the artistic liberties I took with the new sketch, over on The House That Stamps Built Blog.

     I used a white card base, digital designer paper, with no info, and one of my unknown, unmounted stamps.  I did some coloring with Copic markers, and added one of my favorite die cuts called Fresh Daisies, from SSS.  I love that you can cut them all out in white for future use, and color them as needed with Copic colors.  I outlined the edges with my white gel pen.  There are some mauve pearls which are going in a different direction.  BTW, I flipped the sketch.

     Hope you have a beautiful fall day.  It is in the 40's here and yes, the heat pump had to take the chill off the house!  Thanks for sharing a little part of your day with me.

Friends with Flair, Yes it's Friday!

     My first card is made using the KOM from Unity back in January of 2011, called To The Moon and Back.  I made a little A2 note card with a scrap banner.  Coloring was done with Copics and the background designer paper is from Colorbok.

     Card # two is using the September KOM of 2012, which I am in total love with.  I did another card using the large key background stamp and sentiment.  Images are stamped in gumball green from SU!, and a digital butterfly was fussy cut, embossed with UTEE, and popped up for dimension.

     Both cards will go in my box for Operation Write Home.  I love my Unity stamps and they are helping me get so many cards completed.  If you click over to the Unity blog, you will see what all the talented designers have made with their Unity stamps, this week.

Mid-Week Throwdown Color Challenge

      Over on the Stars and Stamps Blog, there is a color challenge using red and green.  I was inspired to use my diamond punch and a doily stamp from Hero Arts to create this card.  Pinterest has been hopping with repins of cards creating quilt type patterns using diamonds.

     I grabbed some red and green pattern scraps for my bin, punched 2 of each and secured them to an embossed white panel.  I then stamped my doily stamp with Ridinghood Red ink from SU!, fussy cut it, and glued to the center of my star.  An olive pearl was used to finish the center.  I found some matching green ribbon from one of the KOM pkgs. at Really Reasonable Ribbon, and inked up my Unity sentiment in Gumball Green ink.  The edges were sponged in the red and the sentiment was popped up with a dimensional.

I would also like to enter my card this week at Simon Says Stamp, where the challenge is Embossing (heat or dry). Love a good Swiss dot background!

     I had such fun, that I decided to make 3 more for my OWH box!  Thanks for paying a visit!

A Lot of Gelato!

     Happy Wednesday afternoon!  As promised, I am back with an entry for the Operation Write Home Sketch Challenge #138.  I could not wait to get my hands on a couple of sets of Gelatos from Faber Castell.  What are they you ask?  They are tubes of yummy, creamy color, that resemble lip balm tubes.  They are vibrant, and water soluble, which makes them act different ways when you spritz them!  You can get different generations of images when you stamp.  Here is the first printing with me using blue and yellow.

     As you can see, from this group photo, with each spritz and addition, I was able to go to shades of green and then a rusty brown!  I used the same leaf stamp from Penny Black, with the addition of different sentiments.  A few are the sketch, and then I switched up to make a couple more.  I even tried water color paper.  It was also a great way to use more of the papers from my stash.

     I hope you like what I came up with, and I always appreciate when you stop by!