Flashing Back on a Butterfly

The challenge for Flashback Friday Challenge 23.0 is to reshare your first posted project with a butterfly.  Well, I had to go hunting and finally found my first butterfly back in May 2010...

You can check out the original post HERE. 
Be sure to link up your own repost to the Flashback Friday Challenge blog.
Smiles,
Julie

Sketch Girl #19

It's Sketch Girl time.  Leigh Ann has created another sketch full of squares and rectangles, no math required this time around :>)

Our sponsor for this sketch  is Sew Many Cards.

Link up your creation based on sketch #19 by June 14th at 9 pm EST to the Sketch Girl post found HERE and you will have the chance to win a fabulous prize from Sew Many Cards.

The owner of Sew Many Cards, Angela, was sweet enough to offer our design team the chance to work with an image of our choice.  I had Christmas on my mind so I went with this cutie, Morty Good Bad List. 

This is a pic from when my daugter was 1.  I am so good about taking the kids to get their pictures taken professionally.  I order lots of prints and share with all.  The only problem is that I never display the pictures in my house - sad, I know.   I even bought the frames to put them in!  I guess I should make it my summer goal...get pictures up on a wall somewhere, anywhere in my house!!! ,  
Visit all the other Sketch Girls to pick up some inspiration! Leigh Ann, Alyssa, Amber, Bonnie, Harriet, Jennie, Jessica, Randee, Sara and Tiffany.  Plus be sure to stop by our Guest Designer Piali too!

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Image - Morty Good Bad List (Sew Many Cards), PP - K&Co., and CS - DCWV and SU.

Sketch Girl #18

Leigh Ann has done it again - another great sketch!  Along with a fabulous sponsor too!

Soft Pencil digital stamps is offering a $10 gift certificate to one random participant.  Check out her cute images by taking a peek in the store and be sure to visit the blog too.  Once you see all the adorable images you will want to play along for the chance to win.  Be sure to link up your creation based on sketch #18 to the Sketch Girl post found HERE by May 29th at 9 pm EST.

I took the butterfly image from one of the Soft Pencil scene stamps and made it larger.  I then pierced and stitched away.  To make it even easier to pierce, I printed out the sketch to fit my card and used it as a piercing template!

Head on over to the Sketch Girl blog and have fun checking out the rest of the design team's creations.  There are some super cute cards!

Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Image - Soft Pencil, PP - Basic Grey, CS - PTI and embroidery floss.

Rah!!! The Monsters are Coming, the Monsters are Coming!!!

*** Second Post for the Day, be sure to scroll on down for a fab sketch challenge from LPS ***

The latest release from Inktegrity is monsters.  It could not be a more appropriate release since I have 2 little ones who like to pretend they are monsters.  I am sharing the Little Monster Birthday image today.  This monster does not look too scary to me, 'cause he is just too cute.  The perfect image for a little boy - or girl if you make pink monsters :>)  

I decided to go with the sketch #17 from Sketch Girlhttp://sketchgirlannie.blogspot.com/2010/04/sketch-17.html and multiply the image by 3!!! My sons will be turning 3 this summer so perhaps I should set this one aside. 

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Inktegrity design team created, I know there are some great cards to be seen out there!!!

Ashley Scheffler, Kelly Santi, Jacquie Pfeifer, Rhonda Miller, Diane Ulitsch, Lelia Pierce, Jackie Randolph, and Joni Wilson.

Smiles,

Julie

Details:  Stamp - Inktegrity Little Birthday Monster digi, PP - K&Co, CS - SU, and Button - stash.

Sketch Girl #17

Ready for a new sketch challenge?  Leigh Ann has another great one for us, actually 2. 

Frenzified is the sponsor for Sketch #17.  One random participant of sketch #17 will receive a great prize for the Frenzified store (link up your creation using sketch #17 HERE by May 14th at 9 pm EST)!  Frenzified sells unique digital images and sentiments, that are available individually or as a set. The latest release is Cutie Critters - all adorable animal images.  Check out the animals and all the other images available at www.Frenzified.com.

Here are the sketches...choose your fave!

I went with the squares and a color that I like as a color, but just not for paper crafting, purple!  The PP is from a yummy DCWV paper pad that I bought because there was blue in it (of course!).  But it turns out that the combo of purple and chocolate was just too tempting for me (really anything with "chocolate" is tempting :>).  Once I went with the flower for the "circle" I just had to add this "fabulous" sentiment!

Check out these links to all the other Sketch Girls:

Our guest designer for April - Teresa Kline

Annie

Alyssa

Amber

Bonnie

Harriet

Jennie

Jessica

Katie - taking a break

Randee - taking a break

Sara

Tiffany - taking a break

Have a fabulous Friday!!!
Smiles,

Julie

Details:  Stamps - PTI  Baby Button Bits and Signature Greetings, CS - PTI and SU, PP - DCWV Latte, Ink - SU Chocolate Chip, Buttons - Foof a La, and PTI Twine.

Sketch Girl #16

Hi there, I am back with a layout today using sketch #16 from Sketch Girl!  Our sponsor for this sketch is The Character Cafe, who is offering a $10 gift certificate to the store for one random participant.

I kept is super simple with paper and stickers from Adorn It's Lapreal collection and pics of my son from Easter - he likes chocolate just a little bit, he takes after his Mom!

Be sure to link up your project based on this sketch to the Sketch Girl blog HERE by April 29th at 9 pm EST for a chance to win the gift certificate!

Now check out what the rest of the Sketch Girls did...
Our April Guest Designer is the amazing Teresa Kline
and here is the amazing Sketch Girl Design Team!
Annie
Alyssa - taking this one off so she can finish her new crafting area (what fun)!
Amber
Bonnie
Harriet
Jennie
Jessica
Katie
Randee
Sara
Tiffany

Smiles,
Julie
Details:  PP and stickers - Adorn It Lapreal, and CS - PTI.

Sketch Girl #15

Hi there!

The latest sketch from Sketch Girl, Leigh Ann, is perfect for cards and layouts.  I was in need of a quick LO, so I went the scrapbook route this time around.  I have so much fun making cards that I put scrapbooking to the side.  Sometimes it just takes so much more work since I either have to print out photos or search thru photos to use (I guess if I have to search thru tons of photos I am a little behind on scrapbooking, LOL!).  So anyway, here it is... 

That cute little bunny tossing eggs is "Easter Joy" from Phindy's Place!, the sponsor for this sketch over at SG!  Phindy was sweet enough to give all the designers a chance to work with him!

A little about Phindy's Place:

Phindy's Place digital stamps is a new venture for children's book illustrator Philomena O'Neill (aka Phindy).  For someone who has always drawn a lot of young children and animals, drawing digi stamps has felt like a natural fit for her.  As a professional illustrator, Phindy draws her stamps as detailed and fully realized images.  She sees her digital images as a collaboration between two artists - her own imaginative line work art and the crafter's talent and vision in coloring and embellishing that art to create a finished card!

Check out these links to the store and blog.  

You could pick up this cute bunny just by playing along with Sketch Girl!  This time around one random person will win a $10 gift certificate to Phindy's Place!   To win, all you need to do is play along with sketch #15 from Leigh Ann!  You have until April 14th at 9 pm EST to link up your creation over at the Sketch Girl blog!

Here is the sketch to play along:

 Feel free to flip

and substitute any shapes you would like.  We are hoping to inspire you and give you a little bit of a challenge at the same time.  

Check out these links to all the other Sketch Girls:

Our guest designer for March - Deanne Kuntz

Annie

Alyssa

Amber

Bonnie

Harriet

Jennie

Jessica

Katie

Randee

Sara

Tiffany

Smiles and have a great day!

Julie

Sketch Girl #14

I had so much fun with sketch #14 from Sketch Girl!  I decided to make a gift set once inspiration struck.

The tea cup images and sentiments are all available at 

Frenzified is the sponsor for Sketch #14 and the owner, Morgaine, was sweet enough to give the Sketch Girl Designers the opportunity to work with her images.  Would you like to play with her images too??  One random participant of sketch #14 will receive a $15 shopping spree in the Frenzified store and a special not yet released image (link up your creation using sketch #14 HERE)!  Frenzified sells unique digital images and sentiments, that are available individually or as a set. Check out all the images available at www.Frenzified.com.

Here is the sketch and more pics of my set:

I have to thank Rhonda Gale who participated in sketch #13.  She made a card with a coffee cup on it and my first reaction was that it would look so cute with a little tea bag hanging out of it!  Then I saw the images from Frenzified and knew immediately what I wanted to do - perfect timing!

I kept true to the sketch and stitched away!  The little tea bag is just a piece of paper with string attached to it that I stuck on with a dimensional.  I cut a slit in the "tea" and stuck the string thru.

I am a tea drinker, but I am the boring kind - no flavors, just the basic decaffeinated Lipton or Tetley (I know that is probably not considered real tea).  I do enjoy picking out fun flavors for others that love tea and this little set will make a great gift.  The box in this gift set is "Treat Box", a recent release from Perfect Presentation!  The box is the perfect size for a couple Mrs. Field's cookies and tea bags of course!

This box has a great way to open, I like the curve and the slants on the sides.  Plus, that little tab on the main box helps keep the box shut - Leigh Ann thinks of everything with her Perfect Presentation line!!!
Plus, see that belly band?  That is one reason why digis are great - I took the large tea cup, reduced it in size and then copied away to make a string of them to print out.  One digi is like having hundreds of stamps.

Check out these links to all the other Sketch Girls:
Our guest designer for March - Deanne Kuntz
Annie
Alyssa
Amber
Bonnie
Harriet
Jennie - taking a break
Jessica
Katie - taking a break
Randee
Sara
Tiffany

Besides the sketch, here are a couple more challenges that I am entering with this set:
Paper Cutz Challenge - Anything Goes (how easy is that :>) )
and For Fun challenges - Green

May you have a wonderful day - relax with a cup of tea and enjoy!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamps - Frenzified Digis (tea cups and sentiments) SU Best Blossoms (flowers), CS - PTI Aqua Mist and Ocean Tides, SU Certainly Celery and Very Vanilla, PP- Cosmo Cricket Early Bird, Die - Nestabilities Peony, Ink - Versa Mark, CB Swirl Embossing Folder, Template - Perfect Presentation Treat Box.

Sketch Girl #13

Sketch Girl #13!

It will be lucky for one participant because this month our sponsor is Wild Flower Kids digital stamps, which are available in the Wild Flower Patch Store.  One random participant of Sketch #13 will win 5 digi stamps, so link up your project HERE.

I love the sketch this time around because you can keep it super simple or dress it up.  I went the simple route and created these cards.  I think this is the perfect sketch for making a set of quick cards, which is a great gift to have on hand.

I am combining the sketch challenge with another challenge...this week Little Paper Shop has a color challenge - Kiwi, Dark Brown and Kraft.  I was not sure to do with that combo at first, but I really like the 3 colors once they are put together.

The argyle is created using Practicing Creativity's Key to My Heart set.  Now this next one is also being submitted into MFW's Olympics!  Cath always has great challenges and this one is right up there.  This is the only way I will ever compete at the "Olympics" LOL! 

Check out these links to all the other Sketch Girls:
Our guest designer for February - Amy Tsuruta
Annie
Alyssa
Amber
Bonnie
Harriet
Jennie
Jessica
Katie
Randee
Sara
Tiffany

Smiles everyone!  Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Julie
Details:  Stamps:  Practicing Creativity - Key to My Heart, Little Paper Shop - Lily and Lucy Messages (B-day sentiment), CS - PTI and SU, Buttons and Twine PTI, and CB Embossing Folder Swiss Dots.

Sketch Girl #12

Today sketch #12 was revealed from Sketch Girl!
Sassy Studio Designs is our sponsor this sketch, are you ready to play along for a chance to win 4 digis? You have until February 27th at 9 pm EST to link up your creation to the Sketch Girl post found HERE. Remember that when you play along you can rotate or flip the sketch (I rotated it 90 degrees). The basic idea is that all the elements are there, but feel free to substitute other shapes for the rectangles and circles. Plus, you are not limited to creating a card!

The owner of Sassy Studio was so sweet and she generously gave the design team 2 sassy digis to play with. I went with Cocoa Carol and paper pieced away!

I also added an American Crafters Fabric Thicker sticker in the shape of a coffee mug. The sticker was light brown, so I inked it up with SU Chocolate Chip to match my cardstock.

All the PP is from BasicGrey Nook & Pantry. The circles across the top are taken from the striped paper in the pack. I rarely use this type of striped paper as a full sheet because it is too busy. It is perfect for borders though, so I hand cut out the scalloped circle row.This card is also for the GKD release challenge to use 4 or more buttons. I LOVE buttons!

Check out these links to all the other Sketch Girls:
Our guest designer for February - Amy Tsuruta
Annie
Alyssa
Amber
Bonnie
Harriet
Jennie
Jessica
Katie
Randee
Sara
Tiffany

I am just a little late getting my post up because I am feeling under the weather today :>( ! Yuck - I am ready for Spring!!
Still Smiling,
Julie
Details: Stamps - Sassy Studio Designs Cocoa Carol and PTI Handwritten Notes (sentiment), PP - BasicGrey Nook and Pantry, CS SU Chocolate Chip and PTI Tidal Waves, Ink - SU Chocolate chip, Blush, Rose Red and Close to Cocoa, Coffee mug Sticker - American Crafts Patchwork Accents Thickers, and PTI Buttons.

Sketch Girl 11 - It's a Challenge!

When I created this sketch, I had in mind vines coming out of each corner. I did not intend to stump everyone. I guess that this one is definitely earning the title of a sketch challenge!!! :>)

I kept my card clean and simple.Be sure to visit all the other Sketch Girls' blogs to get their take on each sketch and leave them some lovin'!

Our Guest Designer Laurel
Annie
Alyssa
Amber
Bonnie
Harriet
Jennie
Jessica
Katie
Randee
Sara
Tiffany

Once you have visited everyone create your own project using the sketch, then link it up for the chance to win a template from Perfect Presentation!!

Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp Set - PTI Everyday Button Bits, CS - SU Very Vanilla, PP - Cosmo Cricket The Boyfriend, Ink - SU Blue Bayou, embroidery floss and stash buttons.

Sketch Girl 10 - Back in Business

It is the 15th and the Sketch Girl vacation is over. That means it is time for a new sketch (and it is one that I created!).

Leigh Ann asked if any of the Sketch Girl designers would like to send in sketches, so I decided to give it a try. Little did Leigh Ann know that some of my sketches would be based off of the back of a delivery truck and other unconventional inspiration! I had so much fun creating the sketches that I am now helping out with the Sketch Girl blog. That means you may just see the delivery truck sketch in the future :>).

I used today's sketch to create a monochromatic card for this week's StampTV color challenge. I went with blue, my favorite color. It is also PTI release time, so I was inspired by all of Nichole's CAS cards.
I am excited to see what you create with the sketch! Be sure to play along and link up your project on the Sketch Girl blog HERE!!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:
Stamp Set - GKD Tropical Flowers, CS - SU Brocade Blue and Very Vanilla, Buttons and Twine - PTI, Ink - SU Brocade Blue and Versamark, and Dies - Nestabilities Labels 1.

Sketch Girl 9

It's time to play along with Sketch Girl. Sketch #9 is up today and it is another great sketch from Leigh Ann. I went the CAS route and decided to make a Birthday card. I stayed pretty true to the sketch. It took me awhile before I pulled out my CB for the polka dot stripes. I first tried stamping rose red polka dots on rose red paper, but it was too much. Then I tried stamping directly on the ivory, but still did not like it. Finally the CB. The funny thing is, I realized when I went to take a pic of this card, that I have the rose red polka dots stamped on the back...ooops, I meant to grab a new card base :>)!
Now, go check out what the rest of the Sketch Girls came up with this time around and be sure to play along!
Annie
Alyssa
Bonnie
Chris
Eve
Harriet
Jennie
Jessica
Katie
Randee
Sara
Tiffany

My blog has been quiet the past week, but I have been crafting away. I am focusing on Christmas items so this card was a welcome break. I promise to share more this week!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: CS - SU Very Vanilla, Ink - SU Rose Red, Groovy Guava, & Rose Romance, Stamps - PTI Holiday Tree and Handwritten Notes, plus the swiss dots CB folder.

Sketch Girl 8

The month has flown by and it is time for another great sketch from Sketch Girl. Here is my take on the sketch and this time around I went with a Christmas card. I love this stamp set from PTI that created the sentiment and "trees" aka leaves on this card, Holiday Tree. I need to play some more and decide what I am going to do for my mass produced assembly line Christmas cards.
Sketch #8 has lots of layers - I may have altered the sketch a bit, but the basic layout is there :>)Why don't you check out all the other Sketch Girls creations for inspiration and play along?!?!

Annie
Alyssa
Bonnie
Chris
Eve
Harriet
Jennie
Jessica
Katie
Randee
Sara
Tiffany

Side note: I was going to make a Halloween card, but it just did not come to me. This means that there is someone out there I owe a card to...you know who you are, or at least you will when your housemates get a card and you do not!! I promise to make it up to you!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: PP - Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses, CS - SU, Stamp - PTI Holiday Tree, Ribbon - SU.

Simply Kind with Sketch Girl 7

I don't know if it is because I have been eyeing PTI all week, but I decided to keep it simple for this week's Sketch Girl. I pulled in my faves, buttons and stitching and used stamps to create my patterns. Here is the sketch so you can play along. Be sure to check out the other sketch girls' projects too!!

Annie
Alyssa
Bonnie
Chris
Eve
Harriet
Jennie
Jessica
Katie
Randee
Sara
Tiffany
and our Guest Designer Amber
Smiles,
Julie

Details: Stamps - PTI Everyday Button Bits & GKD Ribbon Stripes, Paper - PTI Ocean Tides and SU Chocolate Chip, Ink - SU Chocolate Chip and Color Box White, Buttons - PTI and stash, and twine.

Fall Flowers

It truly is fall in the Northeast. I love the change of seasons, perhaps not the change to winter, but the cold does make you appreciate the rest of the year. My card for today combines sketch #6 from Sketch Girl and fall colors for the Cuttlebug Spot challenge this week.I love this sketch because it can be used lots of ways - simple or lots of layers and texture.I am not the only one with a sample for you using this sketch so be sure to check out my fellow Sketch Girls:
Annie
Alyssa
Bonnie
Chris
Eve
Harriet
Jennie
Jessica
Katie
Randee
Sara
Tiffany
and our Guest Designer Amber
Have fun visiting everyone's posts and be sure to play along!!!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: SU Doodle This Stamp Set, SU Burgundy and Old Olive CS, SU Old Olive and Really Rust Ink, Basic Grey Eerie PP, stash brads, CB Embossing folders swiss dots and plaid, plus some sewing and a circle punch. All the papers were distressed with ink to soften them up, including the Basic Grey PP which is inked up to create the appearance of 2 different colors. Edited to add flower info on 10/1/09: The flowers were created by punching 3 circles from 3 different papers. I crumpled the paper circles and distressed with ink, then punched holes in the center to hold all 3 layers together with a brad.

There is Still Time...

to finish your Sketch Girl 5 project. September 30th is the last day to link up your creation {here} for the chance to win 5 sentiment singles from Creative Clear Stamps.
Tomorrow is also the day that the 6th sketch is revealed. Here is a peek at my creation:
Stop back tomorrow to see the entire card!
Smiles,
Julie

Time is Flying By

It is already the 15th and there is a lot going on over at Sketch Girl today. Sketch #5 is up and a guest designer is being selected. A huge thanks to everyone who played along with us last time. The cards were so creative and there are some great ideas I will be trying out :>)My card for sketch #5 includes buttons (who would have guessed?).I have to admit that this is not the same card that I had on my desk yesterday morning. I waited until the "last minute" to find inspiration and none came my way. I ended up making a few changes to my card last night and although it is not one that I will hang on my wall, I can live with it. LOL
Details: PTI Everyday Button Bits, PTI paper and buttons, SU Kraft Paper.
Be sure to check out what my fellow Sketch Girls did with the sketch (see sidebar for links). And be sure to play along with us this week. I would love to see what you do with #5!
Smiles,
Julie

Here it is...Sketch Girl #4

The 4th sketch from Sketch Girl was so much fun to work with.The strip in the center of the sketch seemed to call out for buttons to me! I recently got a bunch of purple buttons from my MIL, so I wanted to put them to use. The stamped image on each side is done with the same ink, I just stamped off the first time before stamping on my paper to get lighter results. I love creating a watermark with versamark on vanilla paper, so I wanted to do that again with the "white" space on the sketch. Be sure to head over to the Sketch Girl blog and play along. One person will be selected to be a guest designer for the next month - it could be you!!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp - SU Baroque Motif, SU Very Vanilla, Misc Eggplant paper, Ink - SU Eggplant Envy and Versamark, and buttons, buttons and more buttons!