Have a beautiful day - TMS #497

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Today, I've got a pretty simple card that was fun to create...

I used Spellbinder Flourish Impressabilities as a stencil and sponged Memento Potter's Clay ink over it.  My image is a precolored butterfly from Doodle Pantry that I fussy cut.  I used CottageCutz Stitched Rectangles and Spellbinders Petite Ovals dies. 

Challenges...
Word Art Wednesday #380-#381 - anything goes w. uplifting sentiment
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - anything goes
Cardz 4 Gals #93 - flora or fauna

- - - - - - -

I was looking at that card and had a thought... "this could make a pretty and simple Christmas card," so I made some. :)

Actually, I made 5...

The ornament has some shimmer
which is very pretty in real life!

Here's the sketch... this one can be CAS or embellished to your hearts content...

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Andrea

LJ

Lori

Melissa

Patti

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Christmas blessings - SCC #99

Happy April 1st!  I was going to get you with a really good April Fool's joke, but couldn't find one I liked, so we'll just get on to Sparkles Christmas Challenge #99!   Our theme this month is feature a creature!

I'm featuring one of my favorite creatures... a cardinal.  This past winter, I saw several either flying over the road as I drove or sitting in a tree.  The bright red against the white snow is gorgeous!

My image is a clear stamp from Sweet n Sassy "Christmas Joy." Sentiment from same set.  I stamped it on Kraft, colored it up with my Spectrum Noir markers, and cut it out with the coordinating die.  It's framed by a Spellbinders Classic Ovals cut that I embossed with CB Swiss Dots.  My sentiment and other banners are cut with Kat Scrappiness Stitched Fishtail Banners.  My DP is the Paper Studio Pine St. Square. 

We'd love to see your Christmas card featuring a creature over at Sparkles Christmas Challenge!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!

Wreath thank you - TMS #496

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!  I'm so excited about this card for a couple of reasons....  check it out and then I'll explain...

It's a gate fold card.

I love the wreath behind the sentiment!!  A couple of weeks ago, I admired Melissa's card using Gina K Tiny Wreath Builder.  She said she had an extra and sent it to me!!!!!  Isn't she awesome??!?  Thanks again, Melissa! 
I've been having so much fun using it!  I know I used some not "normal" colors for a wreath, but it matches my paper very well (in real life).  You will be seeing more wreaths in the days ahead!  

Here's our sketch that was perfect for using the wreath builder...

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Andrea

LJ

Lori

Melissa

Patti

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

She's 21!

Wow!  Our second daughter is 21 years old today!  I just cannot believe how quickly my children have grown up!  I look back and wish I had cherished every stage a bit more.  I've heard it said, "Enjoy every minute."  You can't and don't enjoy every minute, but I wish I had enjoyed every age more.

Enough of that and before I start bawling, here's my daughter's birthday card...

I was looking for something and found a pkg of tags I had forgotten I had.  I grabbed this one and searched for scraps, washi, and embellishments to match and searched for some challenge inspiration, and voilà!  A card was born.  Speaking of birth... this daughter was the only one of my 4 kids born on her actual due date.  :)

My circle is Die-versions stitched circles.  The banners are Kat Scrappiness Fishtail Stitched Banners.  "Happy Birthday" is a Bo Bunny clear sentiment.  "21" are Thickers.  I think the washi is Recollections, and the adhesive dots are Paper Studio.


Challenges...
Krafty Chicks #447 - polka dots
Seize the Birthday #161 - dots and stripes or anything goes birthday (I did anything goes)

Dragonfly Dreams March - for a special female (for my sweet daughter)
Use Your Stuff #351 - use washi
Stinkin' Inkers - tag it!


Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Live love laugh - TMS #495

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!  This week's sketch is awesome!  I can't wait to see how everyone interprets it!!  Here's my take...

My paper was the scrap ends from some K&Co paper.  My images are Bugaboo Butterfly Live Love Laugh Trio.  They are cut using Spellbinders Standard Circles.  The flowery swirl behind it is Cheapo Dies Clover Flourish.  Simple and easy though the more I look at this, the less I like it.  I might try for a do-over and use flowers as in the sketch...

Challenges...
2 Crafty Critter Crazies #24 - must feature a creature
Dies R Us #117 - for the ladies (used Spellbinders Circles and Cheapo Dies flourish)
Di's Digi Design - tic-tac-toe -- I did Kraft, digi image, at least 2 PP

Catch the Bug March B-I-N-G-O - I did Bugaboo image, flower, stripes

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Andrea

LJ

Lori

Melissa

Patti

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

God bless us everyone - TMS #494

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Yeah, I get that March is kinda weird to be making Christmas cards, but I do try to make all through the year, so I'm ready when December arrives.  It's my hope this year that everyone I send to will get a handmade card. (I need well over 100!) 

My image and paper are all Graphic 45 A Christmas Carol.  I colored the image with my Spectrum Noir markers.  I used Spellbinders A3 Matting Basics and and unbranded Scallop Stitch dies. I distressed the edges of the main panel with my Distrezz-It-All.  The ribbon and adhesive squares are from my stash.  


Here's our sketch for the week...

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Andrea

LJ

Lori

Melissa

Patti

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Happy everything - TMS #493

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!  We've really enjoyed revisiting out favorites from 2018, but now we're ready to play with all new sketches!!  

Here's my card...

Supplies...
~Cupcake Kidz from Bugaboo
~Spectrum Noir markers
~Crate Paper Pretty Party
~Spellbinders Postage Stamps
~Sweet n Sassy Stamps Pennant Party clear sentiment
~crinkle ribbon (I used crinkle ribbon on a few cards lately... I made several colors a couple of years ago, but they got lost and/or buried under all the extra junk in my craft room misplaced and just recently found! ;)  


Challenges...
Seize the Birthday #160 - make us laugh or anything goes birthday (I did anything goes)

Creative Knockouts #287 - lots of layers
Catch the Bug - March anything goes
As You Like It - one or many layers (and why)  *I usually do multiple layers because I struggle to make a CAS card that looks "finished" to me.  Layers always add interest even as they frame the main image or sentiment.



Here's our sketch...

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Andrea

LJ

Lori

Melissa

Patti

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Joy to the World - SCC #98

Happy March!  Time for Sparkles Christmas Challenge #98!  Our theme this month is to make a vintage card.  I had so many ideas in my head... none of them came out as planned, but I had finally settled one of the cards I made and even had my blog post all ready.  Then I remembered this die and went a whole new direction.

My BG is Textured Cream Sheet Music from the Paper Studio.  I used Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Circles to cut down the Recollections doily.   My carolers are Die-Versions.  The musical staff is Memory Box Virtuoso Music.  The sentiment is from Sunn Studio Christmas Chapel.  It's cut out with Simon Says Stamp Tiny Tags. Ribbon, flower, and twine are all from my stash.  With the height of the flower, this will definitely need to be hand delivered!! :)


Challenges...
Simon Says Stamp Monday - vintage/past times
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #376 - #377 - anything goes w/ uplifting sentiment
Fab 'n' Funky #429 - feel the music
Sweet Stampin' Christmas - February anything goes
The Holly and the Ivy Christmas #44 - anything Christmas goes
Crimbo Crackers #179 - anything goes Christmas


Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!  Please come over and play at Sparkles Christmas Challenge #98!

with sympathy - TMS #492

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!  This week, I've got one the very necessary but difficult types of cards to make... sympathy cards.  I've needed too many lately! 

My Prima Stationer's Desk DP is embossed with a Lifestyle Crafts EF.  My flowers are QuikCutz Rose die cut from scraps.  My clear sentiment is Raisin Boat Stunning Silhouettes stamped with Versafine Onyx Black and clear heat embossed. Ribbon and brad are from my stash.  


Challenges...
Aud Sentiments #221 - bingo + sentiment (I did top row - patterned paper, embossing, die cut)

Crafting With Friends #80 - anything goes
Inkspirational Challenge #181 - use your stash (paper, ribbon, brad are all over 2 yrs old)
Just Add Ink #445 - just add embossing (dry embossed my BG, heat embossed my sentiment)


Here's our sketch... this is Patti's favorite from last year.  It's the last one, so next week, we start again with all new sketches! :)

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Andrea

LJ

Lori

Melissa

Patti

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Making the years count - TMS #491

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!  I'm excited about today's card.  This is my parents' anniversary card... ♥ ♥ 59 years!!!! ♥ ♥   My husband and I are just over halfway there, but I am so thankful for the faithful example of my parents!!  

If you wonder why the bottom looks odd... it wouldn't lay completely flat because it's an easel card!

Straight on...

My sentiment is DRS Counting the Years.  It's cut out with Spellbinders Circles and Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Circles.  My paper is Crate Paper Bloom. It's embossed with a Lifestyle Crafts EF.  The inside sentiment is Raisin Boat Formal Phrases.  The swirls are Spellbinders Doodle Parts.  Finished off with crinkle ribbon, Prima flowers, Spellbinders Foliage, Die-namites Budding Branch, twine, and a metal charm that's been hanging around my desk for awhile.  


Challenges...
Cuttlebug Mania - marriage (mine is not a wedding card, but "marriage" is in my sentiment plus I think 59 yrs of marriage fits this category!) 
Path of Positivity #66 - anything positive goes + opt twist of love (59 yrs of marriage shows a real and lasting love!  In this day when so many marriages end, I'm thankful that I never once questioned my parents love for each other or for me!)
{PIN}spirational Challenges #232 - photo inspiration (inspired by the flowers)

{FYI, check out this link for a sheet to print to add into your easel card so the recipient knows how to display it...  Easel card "instructions" }


This week, we're playing with Melissa's favorite from 2018... I mirrored it. :)

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Andrea

LJ

Lori

Melissa

Patti

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Fun Valentine cards

Today is Valentine's Day!  I always make a mushy card for my husband, but this year I also made fun cards for my kids.   The first one is my son's card.  He LOVES kitties!!

I used Stampendous Pop Up Kitties Stamp and Die set. I colored the kitties with my Spectrum Noir markers.  I don't have the official pop up die for this set, so I used an Action Wobble on the head.  My DP is DCWV Playful Pets.  The hearts are cut with Spellbinders Scalloped Hearts.   The "Happy Valentine's Day" is Raisin Boat Playing Cupid.

Challenges...
Papercraft Challenges #30 - something new (cat stamp and die set)
Show Us Your Pussycats Challenge #139 - furrything goes
Cutie Pie Challenge #132 - one for the boys (this is my son's Valentine card)
2 Crafty Critter Crazies #23 - anything goes w/ critter
Die Cut Divas February - love is in the air
Crafty Cardmakers #227 - love, love, love
Die Cuttin' Divas #407 - love


Here is one daughter's card... she loves Asian food!

My image is from Kawaii Sushi from Prettygrafikdesign on Etsy.  It's colored with Spectrum Noir markers and cut using Spellbinders Squares.  The heart is Spellbinders Scalloped Hearts. Raisin Boat Playing Cupid clear sentiment.

Challenges...
Cuttlebug Mania - be my Valentine
Cute N Crafty Challenges #20 - Valentine's Day/love


I've got 4 kids, here are 2 more cards I sent to my daughters in college...

Both of these images are also from Prettygrafikdesign.

If you're celebrating, have a Happy Valentine's Day tomorrow, but also remember that every day is a good day to say "I love you" to those around you!!!

Thanks for stopping and have a blessed day!!

Need a hug? - TMS #490

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!  Today, I've got cards to show you... lots of cards!   

You're probably tired of seeing "I used another printed and waiting image" but there is still more... many more!!  (I do not know why I printed so many of this!!)  They were all pre-colored, so no need to compliment my coloring. :D 

Five cards altogether...

My paper is Pebbles Garden Party.  My dies are Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics, CottageCutz Stitched Rectangles, and Kat Scrappiness Stitched Fishtail Banners.  My image and sentiment are Doodle Pantry... DP's been closed for a couple of years, so you know how long I've had these images!   Flowers, ribbon, twine, and brads are all from my stash.  



Challenges... (my first card)
Happy Little Stampers Feb - anything goes with dies
Dragonfly Journeys #134 - gaga for gingham


Here's our sketch... (I mirrored it.)  This is Lori's favorite pick from last year...

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Andrea

LJ

Lori

Melissa

Patti

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Come unto me - TMS #489

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!  We're revisiting LJ's favorite from 2018.  I have to confess that I took great poetic license with the sketch this week. :)  

My paper is Pebbles Garden Party. My sentiment is another printed-and-waiting verse from long ago at Word Art Wednesday.  I do not own a stitched banner this long and thin, so I improvised... I placed the verse in the banner and cut most of the way.  I then slid the banner down to the other end and cut that end.  With the stitches, it was easy to get the die set in place.  {You're welcome for the "how to" tip. ;) }  My image is Bee Happy from There She Goes that I colored and fussy cut.


Challenges...
Word Art Wednesday #372-#373 - anything goes w/ uplifting sentiment
Alphabet challenge - W for wings
Love to Craft LTCCB #31 - February anything goes
Crafting From the Heart #236 - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - anything goes


Here's is our sketch for the week... as I said, I took poetic license... the circle morphed into a long banner. :)

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Andrea

LJ

Lori

Melissa

Patti

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Poinsettia greetings - SCC #97

Can you believe it's February already??!!??    Time for Sparkles Christmas Challenge!  This month, our theme is Poinsettia!

I got this die a couple of years ago and really have not used it to it's full potential, so I was excited about this challenge.  I was pleased with this card, so made several of the same.  :)  (Just don't have a pic of them.)

My flower is Darice Poinsettia.  My paper -both the BG and flower- is First Edition "A Christmas Story."  My sentiment is Flonz Christmas Poems.  The white is cut with Poppystamps Stitched Landscapes. 

Thanks for stopping by and please come check out our challenge and play along!!

Latte, Macchiato, Coffee, etc. - TMS #488

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!  Another great sketch revisit from 2018.  

I've got 2 cards to share this week...  I know most, if not all, of you will like the first one better, but not me.  I DO NOT like coffee!!!!  I'll probably send this to my daughter. 

My image is Bugaboo Coffee Words Cup. (Yes, they realize macchiato is misspelled!)  My DP is Jen Hadfield Warm & Cozy.  My stitched banner die is from Cheapo Dies.  Ribbon and adhesive buttons from my stash.  


For the second card, I turned the sketch a quarter turn and reduced the size of the banner.  It gives it a whole new look!  

My sentiment is a verse from Word Art Wednesday. (Another printed long ago and waiting for use.)  My paper is from the same scrap as last week... it was a large scrap... 1/2 of a 12x12 page.  Also, embossed with the same WRMK folder.  The same set of Cheapo banner dies as the previous card.  Scrap ribbon, MS punch branches, Prima flowers finished it off.  

Challenges... (this second card)
Aud Sentiments #219 - anything goes + sentiment
Cardz 4 Gals #88 - dimensional elements
Crafting by Design - layer it up
Creative Moments #161 - anything goes
Word Art Wednesday #370-#371 - anything goes w/ uplifting sentiment



Here's our sketch... this was Jenée's favorite from 2018...

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Andrea

LJ

Lori

Melissa

Patti

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Birthday "handy man"

My husband is the best DIY-er and can fix just about anything, but I like this cute little handy man!  This is another of the images I colored last week while trying to keep warm. :)

I'm not very good at coloring, so usually avoid images with larger areas like this teddy's head.  Copics are just not in my budget and I do love my Spectrum Noir markers, but if they're not really wet, I find it hard to consistently blend them well.  I recently watched a video on tip to tip coloring.  Oh. My. Goodness.  What a difference it makes!   ((Never mind that I pinned it so long ago that I don't remember pinning it!!!! Duh!))  You can check it out HERE, but the basic idea is rubbing together the tips of a dark and a light marker.  As you color, it begins dark and gently fades lighter.  
I know my image does not even begin to compare to the amazing coloring so many of you do, but I was happy with this!  

My image is DIY Ted from Di's Digi Stamps.  It's colored with my Spectrum Noir markers and cut out with Cheapo Dies unbranded pierced circles and Spellbinders Standard Circles.  The sentiment is Sweet n Sassy Stamps Pennant Party.  It's cut out with Spellbinders Lacey Pennants.  The paper is scraps.  The gray piece is embossed with Darice Diamond Plate EF.  The adhesive dots are from the Paper Studio. 


Challenges...
Di's Digis Challenge - emboss it (I dry embossed)
Cute Card Thursday #566 - critters
Colour Crazy Craft Challenge week 3 - anything goes w/ coloring
Crazy 4 Challenges C4C468 - celebrate (birthday)


Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Christmas carolers

The beginning of this week was FRIGID, so I stayed home unless I absolutely had to go anywhere and spent some extra time in my craft room. :)  I colored up a few images and had time to make a card with one of them afternoon.   It's a Christmas card...  I know Christmas was just a month ago, but I did not get enough cards made to send in 2018, and I want to change that for 2019!

The image is ChristmasCarols from the Paper Shelter.  These cute carolers are colored with my Spectrum Noir markers and cut out with CottageCutz Stitched Rectangles.  My DP is Paper Studio Pine St Square.  The musical die is Find It Trading Holly Jolly Music. My sentiment is from an old Momenta clear sentiment set, and I think this is the first time I've used this one!  It's stamped in Versafine Black Onyx and heat embossed.  It's cut out with a stitched banner die from Cheapo Dies.  The snowflake is a MS punch, and the twine, button, and rick rack are from my stash.


Challenges...
ABC Christmas - A for anything Christmas goes
Sweet Stampin Christmas - January anything goes
Cute N' Crafty Christmas #5 - Christmas/winter
Fab n Funky #424 - creating for Christmas
Watercooler Wednesdays WWC205 - all about holidays
52 Christmas Card Throwdown January Technique - heat embossing (my sentiment is heat embossed)

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

New toys! Had to play!

I had some Christmas money left and was able to indulge in some after Christmas and New Year sales!   This card is made with a set that I think is sooooooo cute!!!!

Take a look...

I just love the way this turned out!  I'm not good at CAS, but this set seemed to lean toward that, and I was happy with it.  Easy, peasy, and cute!  My stamp and dies are Lawn Fawn Year Eight Fortune Cookie.  The cookie is colored with a Spectrum Noir marker.  The DP is Pebbles Family Ties. 


Challenges...
Dies R Us #113 - anything new (stamp and die are new)
Die Cut Divas Jan '19 - anything new (stamp and die are new)
Scrapy Land #106 - anything goes w/ brand SL sells (Lawn Fawn)
Happy Little Stampers - Jan anything goes w/ dies
Seize the Birthday #157 - stamping only (if using a die is "illegal" then I'll just enter the linky party anything goes)

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!  (Come back again soon 'cuz I got a few more new things to play with and share!)