Christmas and a Sketch

This week's Christmas Stampin' All Year Long challenge is to use a sketch from one of your favorite sketch blogs. 

We are sponsered by Limited Runs Digis!

Check out Snowman #1 from Limited Runs Digis.  He is the focus on my card using this week's sketch from CPS (#174)!  I flipped the sketch and came up with this...

I printed the image, colored it and then embossed - love the look!

Be sure to check out the rest of the CSAYL team's fab creations! Then play along...I see a sketch in your future!

Smiles,
Julie

Details: Image - Limited Run Digis (Snowman #1), CS, Button and Ribbon - PTI, Ink - SU and snowflakes - PTI.

Inspired in Gray

Today I was inspired by a photo and a sketch to get this:

The photo that inspired me is the 10th inspiration challenge over at Laurel Seabrook's Inspired By challenge blog.  (So glad I had time to play along - Laurel has had wonderful inspirations each week.)

I was inspired by the fog - the gray with just a hint of outline and then a pop of color.

The sketch I used is CPS' 5th Anniversary Day 3 Challenge sketch.

Have a wonderful week!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamps - (Great Friend and Dream Big) Verve, CS - PTI and SU, Ink - SU and Momento, and ribbon from my stash.

Raise the Bar and Ring in the New Year

I was asked to be a guest designer for the Raise the Bar challenge blog this week!  Thanks ladies!!!  The challenge this week is to create something crafty based on the theme "Ring in the New Year".  Well, I am "ringing" in the new year with circles (rings) on a card to welcome a new baby.

(Based on sketch #251 from CPS)

Eeks, I just love this set from The Craft's Meow designed by Jenny Suchins - "Owl Be Thinking of You". 

Now it is your turn to create a project with "rings" and link it up to the Raise the Bar Challenge blog.  Hop on over to the blog to check out all the details and get more inspiration from the design team.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Smiles,

Julie

Details - Stamps - (Owl Be Thinking of You) TCM, PP - October Afternoon - CS - PTI, Copics, Button - PTI, Ink - Momento and Aciennt Page, and embroidery floss - DMC.

Whimsie Christmas

Whimsie Doodles' new release is full of cute Christmas images and some fairies too!

 Today I am sharing a card using "Peeking Elf".  Just a bit of paper piecing and some delish Simple Stories Christmas paper.  The layout is based on the latest CPS sketch #242.  That means I can also tie this in with the Christmas Stampin' All Year Long Challenge which is to use your favorite sketch challenge.  Truth be told, I love all sketch challenges! 

Be sure to stop by the Whimsie Doodles blog to check out all the creations from the rest of the design team (I promise, lots of good stuff!). Then it is time to visit the Whimsie Doodles store to shop for some of these cuties!
Smiles,
Julie
Images - Whimsie Doodles, PP - Simple Stories, Ribbon - stash, copics, embossing - (Polka Dots) Cuttlebug.

Frankie's My Fave!

How about an image that could be used on
a Halloween card,
a cheer up card,
or a Birthday card?
Welcome Frankie, who is my favorite image from the new Whimsie Doodles' release.  I started coloring him up and had so much fun with all the rips and tears, not to mention green hair!

Originally I was going with Halloween, but then the sentiment "rough day" came to mind and I just went with it.  I left the inside blank for now, so that I can add something along the lines of "It's tough getting old, Happy Birthday anyway!"?  Feel free to share more ideas :>)

My card is based on Card Positioning Systems sketch #234.
Plus, I also followed the craft itinerary for Desert Island Crafts challenge #15, with dry embossing, a sentiment, dimension (the main image panel is popped up), plus a touch of green (I might have used just a bit more than a touch!).
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Image - (Frankie) Whimsie Doodles, CS - (Pure Poppy and White) PTI, PP - (Oliver & Max and Whiskers) Basic Grey, Embossing Folders - Sizzix, Sentiment - (Harold's Alphabet) Lawn Fawn, Embroidery Floss - DMC, dimensionals and copics.

More Cake

Birthday Cake
I love to bake and decorate Birthday cakes, but when it comes to eating 'em I am an ice cream cake kind of gal.  How about you?

 The latest sketch from CPS was mixed in with some Togetherness PP from Cosmo Cricket - yum!

This card is also for the All That Scraps Wednesday Challenge, which is to add a pin wheel to your creation.  I considered using pinwheel paper, but decided to create my own pinwheel by gluing 2 pieces of PP together.  Pinwheels are all the rage and it was easier to make one than I expected.  What was a little harder on this card?  Sewing.  I sewed the edges and then realized I had run out of thread.  Oh well, I decided to just go with the paper pierced look instead.
Happy Tuesday!!!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamps - Forget About the Cake and So You Say It's Your Birthday (TCP), PP - Togetherness (CC), Ink - SU and Momento, CS - Ocean Tides (PTI), Button - PTI and embroidery floss.

Yay!

Add some Lawn Fawn to sketch #217 from CPS and look what you get...

Fun!  I was in the mood for more cute and cheery. Plus, a little paper piecing never hurts.
Smiles,
Julie

Eat More Cake

I am not one for New Year's resolutions, but one of my goals for this year is to actually send out the cards I make - ha, ha, ha!

This one uses a fun image from The Cat's Pajamas and is based on Card Positioning System's sketch #201.  

Have a wonderful weekend!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Image - Forget about the Cake (TCP), Sentiment - You Say It's Your Birthday (TCP), PP - Lapreal (Adornit) and Blue Mat Stack (MME) , CS - PTI, Ink - SU, Buttons - PTI, and copics (I am still practicing!!!  My goal is to be 1/2 as good as Alyssa:>)  )

More Vervalicious Cards

Today I have 3 more cards to share that will be added to my Verve gift card set which I shared yesterday.  I took advantage of  some fab-u-lous sketches out there and went to work.  I originally wanted the Blue Skies set because of the cute note paper stamp, but I honestly have not gotten past these butterflies.

First up is a card based on this week’s Paper Player’s sketch challenge #11.

 
Next is a card based on this week’s Card Pattern’s sketch #77.

 

Last, but certainly not least, is one based on this week’s Card Positioning System sketch #180.

 

I am almost done, now I need to get working on a box to hold these all…

Smiles,

Julie

Details:  Stamps - Blue Skies and Thankful Accents (Verve), PP - Retired SU DSP, CS - Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, and Bashful Blue (SU), Ink - Always Artichoke (SU), Buttons (PTI), Embossing Folders - Swirls (Cuttlebug), embroidery floss and thread, plus a ton of dimensionals.

Clean & Simple Christmas

I keep seeing Christmas cards out there in blog land.  Normally, I am a Last Minute kinda gal, so November is typically Christmas card time.  I was inspired however when I saw the Paper Player's color challenge (Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla) and then this week's Card Positioning System sketch #179 caught my eye.  Keeping it super clean and simple, this is what I put together.

Well, after making that card I decided, it was such a quick card that it would be perfect for a gift set and so easy to switch up the colors.  When I make gift sets I really try to stay away from too much layering or thick embellies so CAS is the way to go!

Now I honestly only made 1 card so far because I am out of white paper!!!  I guess that means I need to go to my scraps until I order more.  I will share where all my white paper went later this week...

Did you see that Laurel Seabrook is giving away some fab candy?  I have been checking out Laurel's blog ever since she joined Sketch Girl as a guest designer.  I typically visit and get caught up whenever she uses one of the Sketch Girl sketches.  Well, since Sketch Girl has been on summer vacation I have missed seeing Laurel's happy creations!!!  Just pop on over to Laurel's blog{here}, read all the deets and become a follower like I finally did yesterday.
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Card 1 - Stamp- Holiday Tree (PTI), Ink - Chocolate Chip (SU), LadyBug (Momento), CS - Kraft (SU) and Twine (PTI).  Card 2 - Stamp - Holiday Tree & Everyday Button Bits (sentiment) (PTI), Ink - Always Artichoke & Elegant Eggplant (SU), CS - White (PTI) and Embroidery Floss.

Purple Topiary

I combined this week's CPS sketch #174 with LPS's color challenge (LPSC75) Orchid, Razzleberry and Old Olive and came up with this.

All that Razzleberry is so yummy!  I recently saw a card by Angie Hagist in the Summer 2010 Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine that had strips of paper layered to look like siding on a house.  It inspired me to cut strips and layer them on the same color card base.  I left some of the card base showing thru between each strip, plus I added some embossing - lovin' the result!  (Warning:  that means you will be seeing strips again in the future.)

Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamp - I Heart & Lily and Lucy Messages (LPS), CS - SU, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder and Ink - SU.

Little Paper Shop is a Buzzin'

It's May release time and there is a new Little Cutie debuting today, Jena Bee.  She is definitely a sweetie!   She will be available for purchase in the Little Paper Shop store on Tuesday, May 4th.

I went with non-traditional colors because I found this great bee paper from Gooseberry Patch, add in some BoBunny dot paper and it was all good.

Her wings are made from acetate.  I first sanded the acetate to give it texture, then stamped and embossed.  This was the perfect technique for bee wings because you can still see thru the wings, almost like the real ones.

The layout is based on sketch #165 from CPS:

The rest of the design team has some wonderful creations to share as well.  Be sure to buzz on by and check out the Little Paper Shop Blog, then visit all the DT and leave 'em some lovin'.  One commenter will win a $10 gift certificate to the LPS Store!!!  That is enough moola to pick up a fun set and still cover shipping!

Julia - Addicted to Paper

Pam - The Stamping Addict

Bonnie - The Lucky Clucker

Ann - Stamp with Me 

Allison - Stampin' When I Can

Julie - Stamps & Taxes

Heather - The Best In Life

Jen - Glitter in My Hair

Silvia - Mabie Stampin' 

GD - Kelly - Lovin' the Life I Color

GD - Tasha - Millie's Magical Moments

 Have a great weekend!

Smiles, Julie

Details:  Stamp - Jena Bee (LPS), CS - Black (SU), PP - Gooseberry Patch and BoBunny Dots, Buttons - Pure Poppy (PTI), Dies - Nestabilities and stash ribbon.

Quick CAS

Sometimes you just need a quick card - if you are like me, you think you have a card made for a gift, but then minutes before you are to leave you realize ooops, I need a card!
This one is super fast.  I only had minutes to spare. 
I am using the CPS sketch #157 and combining it with the Verve Spring Fling release challenge #1 to make a CAS card with a flower on it.  I created my own flower using Verve's Thankful Accents. 

No, your eyes are not seeing things, I am using green and orange again.   I think I need to take the bag of green & orange buttons and hide it from myself.  I see that bag and want to use every button in it!
Oh, and that is real sunshine in this photo.  I have never been so happy to see the sun :>)  Today, my daughter's GS troop was doing a cookie booth sale and the thought of standing outside for hours in 20 degree weather was not appealing!!!  It was over 40 degrees today - hooray!

Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamp Set - Verve Thankful Accents, CS - SU Whisper White, Ink - SU Old Olive, Really Rust and Blue Bayou, Foof-a-la button and embroidery floss.

Sweet Pears

Over the weekend I visited my LSS and as soon as I saw the Nook and Pantry pear paper I grabbed it with this Little Paper Shop pear image in mind - the paper and image make the perfect pear :>). I have more goofy puns in mind which I will spare you from!!

The pears are a free digi available to Little Paper Shop forum members, you can join HERE. This image would be perfect to try out if you have never used digis before.

Today's card combines a few challenges:

First is the Little Paper Shop's challenge to use distressing. Besides inking up and distressing the paper edges, I inked up the green paper a bit and also added a bit of stitching to the pear PP. Vintage buttons too!

Second is CPS Sketch challenge #154:

And last, but not least...Joanne B has a paper piecing challenge this week. She will be doing challenges for the next 3 weeks in celebration of her 3rd blogaversary, with a giveaway at the end, so be sure to check out her blog - Just a Little Something.

Smiles,

Julie

Details: Stamp - LPS Digi Pears and PTI Handwritten Notes (sentiment), Ink - SU Black, Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip, Paper - SU Very Vanilla and Kraft, PP - BasicGrey Nook and Pantry, Foof-a-la buttons, PTI Twine and Sizzix Argyle 2 Embossing Folder (my new fave!).

Card Positioning Systems #153

This week's Card Positioning Systems sketch challenge is sponsored by PTI!

I made this card to coordinate with the treat box I made for my husband (here). I kept it super simple, because I love using the plaid embossing with this stamp set!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp Set - Practicing Creativity Key to My Heart, CS - SU Very Vanilla, Rose Red and Going Gray, CB plaid embossing folder, Ink - SU Rose Red and Going Gray.

Katie's Color Challenge

Recently my fellow Sketch Girl, Katie, wrote that she has an aversion to the color purple. Well after reading that, I realized that I rarely use the color purple and hence it became a challenge color for me! I created my own background paper using Verve's Thankful Accents set. Then added some rhinestones to the band and finished off the button with rhinestones too. This loooonnng card is based on CPS's sketch #151. Well, I will keep this short and sweet to offset the length of my card!
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamp Set - Verve Thankful Accents, CS - SU Whisper White and stash purple (maybe SU Eggplant?), Ink - SU Eggplant Envy and White, Ribbon and button - stash.

I Heart Sketch Challenges

I still have Valentines on my mind, so the colors on today’s cards should be no surprise – even though neither is a Valentine! I plan on adding “Happy Anniversary” to the inside of each and then I will be all set for my SIL’s anniversary next month (which just happens to fall on V-day) and my Mom and Dad’s anniversary. (If you are reading this at least there will be a little surprise since you do not know which card you are getting!)It is based on Card Pattern’s sketch challenge #47.

Amazingly, I stayed true to the sketch, even though at first, I had no idea how to use the 2 tabs on the left. I finally went with the ribbon because it is subtle. I created the 3-D heart flowers using Lauren Meader’s technique that I was addicted to in the fall.

On my next card I was inspired by the leaves on my giraffe Valentine from a few days ago, but this time I created dimensional heart leaves using a die. The hearts are all from my daughter’s Cuttlekids Heart dies – and yes, the dies work in my Cuttlebug too! The tree branch was cut out free hand, then inked up and I added some faux texture with a marker. Plus I stitched by hand, thanks to inspiration from Laural (see her post HERE).
My second card is for a sketch challenge too, this one is from Card Positioning Systems.
Plus I am adding in Little Paper Shop's challenge "Button It". I guess either card meets that challenge, but this one uses the LPS digi owl, which you all know I love! I printed the owl once, then flipped it 180 degrees and printed a second time to get a mirror image.

Have a wonderful weekend and I am hoping to find time to create more eye candy for you!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:
Card 1 – Stamp Set – PTI Everyday Button Bits, CS – SU Very Vanilla, PP – SU Candy Lane, Ink – SU Chocolate Chip, Buttons – PTI, Die – Nestabilities Curved Rectangle, and stash ribbon.
Card 2 - Stamp Set – Little Paper Shop Digi Owl and PTI Everyday Button Bits (sentiment), CS – SU Very Vanilla and Close to Cocoa, PP – SU Candy Lane, Ink – SU Baroque Burgundy, Buttons – PTI, Die – Nestabilities Curved Rectangle, and embroidery floss.

Pink Snowy Hills

I have seen quite a few cards with hills in colors other than green and wanted to give it a try. My little snowman is nestled amongst pink hills :>)
I am once again combining challenges, this card is for the StampTV potluck Friday challenge to use snow on a card and I am using the CPS sketch of the week. How does everyone feel about combining challenges? I know there is at least one site out there that encourages it... I have seen that many blogs state it is okay, so I am going for it! I love challenges and combining challenges can make it more challenging.
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Stamps PTI Tree, PP Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses, and CS SU.