Sending sandy hugs & salty kisses.

Good morning!  The start of the new week brings a new sketch from From the Heart Stamps; along with the sketch there is a twist..."Gratitude Card".  Here's the sketch:

Yep, I bet you are thinking that I didn't follow the sketch...or the twist....  I tried to follow the sketch; I had banners cut of all shapes, colors, and sizes but I just couldn't get the 3 vertical elements to look good.  I ended up rotating my card base and changing the layout.  Do you notice the graph paper background on the sketch?  I even used graph paper!  I loved the way it pulled in the blue from the color challenge I was incorporating.  (Before I decided to rotate the card base, the background lined up perfectly with the graph paper used on the image panel.  Even though my OCD kicked into overdrive when I changed it, I just went with it anyway...yes, it was tough!  LOL)  I've embellished simply with some blue crystals.  Here's the full card:

Image: From the Heart Stamps "Sea Turtle Beach" Digital Set
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110 CS, Graph Paper, PTI New Leaf, Winter Wisteria, Royal Velvet, and Raspberry Fizz CS
Embellies: MAMBI Bling
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Gina Marie Designs Dies (banner, heart), Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details.  We do hope you will play along!

Challenges entered:

Brown Sugar: Photo Inspiration

Cardz 4 Galz: Summer Fun
Chocolate Baroque: Challenge #23 Color

Crafty Addicts: Anything Goes/Summertime
Cut It Up: Sun and Surf
Pile It On: Old, New, Blue (old=graph paper, new=Gina Marie Designs dies, blue=bling)
Sisterhood of Crafters: Summer Fun
Stamping Sensations: Feature a Creature
Sweet Stampin': 3 or More Layers

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Sketch Saturday #395

Good morning sketch fans!  We have a new sketch for you, along with a new sponsor...Bunny Zoe's Crafts.  Here's the sketch:

I really love this one, even though I made some modifications.  I had to turn it into a square because of the image size, then I didn't have room for the banners on the bottom.  Ugh!  Hopefully you can still see the "bones" of the sketch!

We are in the midst of a cold snap here, so I went with a fun, winter image from The Cat's Pajamas.  I've colored the ewe with pencils and paper pieced her scarf and pockets.  The papers have been in my stash a long time and I like that the burgundy paper has a nice "knit" like texture to it.  I've embellished with snowflakes accented with Swarovski flatback crystals.

Here's a close-up of the snowflakes and paper piecing detail:

Image/Sentiment: The Cat's Pajamas
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Signo Black Gel Pen
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select, Fine Linen, and Scarlet Jewel, Fancy Pants Designs Patterned Paper
Embellies: "Light Colorado Topaz" Swarovski Flatback Crystals
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, The Cat's Pajamas Die (Snowflakes), Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's creations here, along with the challenge details.  I hope you will give the sketch a try!

Challenges entered:

Crafty Sentiments: Baby It's Cold Outside
Craft Your Passion: Anything Goes
Mod Squad Challenge: Friendship
The Cat's Pajamas: Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

flyin' by to say hi

Good morning sketch fans!  We have a new sketch for you at From the Heart Stamps, along with a twist..."Use Stitching".  Check out the sketch:

I have to admit that I was a bit stumped by the sketch, so I flipped the image panel.  (I am also just realizing that I forgot the twist!  Ugh!)  I love this Birdbrain witch...she's cute, not spooky!  Shc's colored with pencils and her eyelids have a bit of glittery green "eye shadow" (of course I couldn't resist that!); I've cut her out and adhered her to the image panel.  I've embellished simply with a sentiment banner adhered with mini brads.

Image: From the Heart Stamps "Broom Flying Birdbrain" Digital Image

Ink: Printer, SU! Black Marker, Signo Black Gel Pen

Paper: G.P. 110, SU! Perfect Plum, PTI True Black, We R Memory Keepers Patterned Paper

Embellies: Martha Stewart "Sour Apple" Glitter, Recollections Brads

Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Foam Tape

Please check out the rest of the DT's cards here, along with the challenge details.  We do hope you will give the sketch a try!

I am also sharing this card in the Splitcoaststampers Hope You Can Cling To card drive.  (Can I Get a Ride" HYCCT1511)  There are challenges for every day this month; at the end of the event I will ship the cards to the MD Anderson Cancer Center for distribution to their patients.  This is an awesome cause, if you aren't familiar with it you should check it out!

Challenges entered: 

A Gem of a Challenge: Spots and/or Stripes 

Animal Friends Challenge: Halloween 

Aud Sentiments Challenge: Halloween Sentiment

Chocolate, Coffee, and  Cards: Halloween 

Crafting By Designs: Halloween

Crafty Gals Corner: Witches, Ghouls, Gobblins

Glitter 'N' Sparkle: Halloween (Cute or Spooky) 

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Sketch Saturday #349

Good morning!  Saturday means a new sketch at the Sketch Saturday challenge blog!  As always, it's a fun one!   Our sponsor for the week is A Random Fan; they have some adorable images!   Here's our sketch:

I picked some patterned papers and colored my image to match, but I just wasn't liking the finished result....  Then I had the idea to go with an all white card base; it turns out that I like the simplicity!  I've used textured vellum for the slanted panel and white brads to secure the banner.

Image: A Random Fan "Summer Scent" Digital Image
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110, PTI Stamper's Select and Vellum
Embellies: Recollections Brads
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone

Please stop by and see what the Saturday Girls have created, along with the challenge details.  We hope you will play along!

C.R.A.F.T.: CAS

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Mmmwaah!

Hello and Happy Valentine's Day; I hope you have some fun plans for the day!  I love making Valentine cards so I thought I would whip up one more today; I found some fun challenges and paired them with Doodle Pantry's Kissy Lips set, along with the Mojo Monday sketch.

I've used a pre-colored image and a sentiment from the set; there is also line art and patterned papers too.  The lips are printed and fussy cut then adhered to a die cut tag.  I've embellished the card with some twill, a button, and some Swarovski flatbacks (they are red, but appear dark in the photo).

Image/Sentiment: Doodle Pantry's Kissy Lips
Ink: Printer, SU! Black Marker
Paper: G.P. 110, PTI Fine Linen, SU! Real Red, Bo Bunny DP
Embellies: PTI Dark Chocolate Twill and Button/DMC Floss, Swarovski Flatback Crystals in "Siam"
Extras: PTI Tag Die, Foam Tape

I am also entering my card in the following challenges:

A Creative Romance: Let's Get Sentimental
Alphabet Challenge Blog: "A" for Always and Forever
Brown Sugar: Use a Die Cut or Punch
Cardz for Guyz: Truly, Madly, Deeply
Cute Card Thursday: Clever Cutting
Fab 'n' Funky: Valentine/Love
Incy Wincy Designs: Sassy and Sexy
Just Add Ink: Just Add Stripes
Mojo Monday: Sketch
Totally Papercrafts: Valentine/Love

Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Clearly Digi Stamps August Release

 Hello!  It's the 15th of the month, so that means it's release time for Clearly Digi Stamps!  There are a bunch of great new sets and I have samples to share using 2 of them: New Pastures, and Chalk Talk.

I love making baby cards, so I knew right away I wanted to work with New Pastures...the little lamb is adorable!  I am working with a pre-colored image from the set, plus a sentiment and digi paper.  This set made it super easy to put together a cute, coordinated card in a snap; I simply printed the elements, did a bit of layering and added some Bella Dots for embellishment!

Image/Sentiment: New Pastures
Ink: Printer, Sakura Black Gel Pen
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Smokey Shadow
Embellies: Bella Dots
Extras: Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

Next I've used another fun set called Chalk Talk...it is perfect for back to school!  I made a band to go around a new planner for my daughter.  I simply layered the pre-colored image and sentiment before printing and added some brads for embellishment.  For the card, I again layered elements from the set before printing and fussy cutting them.  I added some distressed  DP, die cuts, and Bella Dots.  What about your kids?  Do they think "School rules!"?  I think I'm pretty lucky because both of mine do, especially my oldest; she is eager to go back to school next week!

Image/Sentiment: Chalk Talk
Ink: Printer, Sakura Black Gel Pen, SU! Black Marker
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and True Black, Scrappin' Sports & More! DP, Little Yellow Bicycle DP
Embellies: Spare Parts Brads, Bella Dots
Extras: Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I hope you will head on over to Clearly Digi Stamps to check out the rest of the new release, and to get a bit of inspiration from the DT!

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Clearly Digi Stamps July Release

Hello!  It's time for the Clearly Digi Stamps July reveal...today I am working with 2 new sets..."Seashells" and "Tweet Hello".

I've kept my first card clean and simple.  The sentiment is printed on CS, die cut, and layered on another die cut.  The seashells are colored, fussy cut, and popped up.  I've added a contrasting strip that I have crinkled for some texture, along with some twine and a smattering of pearls.

Image/Sentiment: Seashells
Ink: Printer
Paper: SU! Confetti White, Baja Breeze, Buckaroo Blue, and Peach Parfait
Embellies: Spare Parts Pearls, Twine (my stash)
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

For my second card, I've printed both the image and sentiment on a CS panel.  The image is colored with pencils, the panel is distressed, mounted, and adhered to the card base.  I've added some distressed banners, ribbon, and Swarovski flat backs to finish the card.

Image/Sentiment: Tweet Hello
Ink: Printer
Paper: PTI Vintage Cream, Dark Chocolate, and Harvest Gold, Echo Park DP
Embellies: SU! Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Swarovski Flatback Crystals in "Smokey Topaz"
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone

I hope you will check out the July releases at Clearly Digi Stamps, along with the DT's creations!  Thank you for stopping by!

Angela

Clear Dollar Stamps July Release

Good morning!  I have a few new sets and samples from Clear Dollar Stamps to share with you today, so let's get to it!

First up is a set called "Veterinary Clinic"; as soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to work with it!  I made a scrapbook page featuring our puppy Paisley.  She is 7 weeks in the photo...I can't believe how tiny she looks!  She is close to 4 months old now, and has gotten huge!  I chose a couple of images from the set and paired them with some text.  I added a bit of color with pencils (I used purple to complement the color of her collar) and finished the page with a photo of Paisley.

Image/Sentiment: Clear Dollar Stamps "Veterinary Clinic" Digital Set
Ink: Printer
Paper: G.P. 110, SU! Basic Gray and Elegant Eggplant
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, QuicKutz Hand Tool and Photo Corner Die, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

Next I have a couple of cards using a set called "Cherries on Top".  For my first card, I chose a bunch of cherries and paired it with a coordinating sentiment.  The cherries are colored with pencils and diecut with Spellbinder's dies.

Image/Sentiment: Clear Dollar Stamps "Cherries on Top" Digital Set
Ink: Printer (dark brown)
Paper: SU! Pink Passion, PTI Dark Chocolate, Doodlebug DP
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

This card was fun to make because I learned some new tricks!  My daughter downloaded some free software so I can change the color of my images/sentiments, layer the images, etc.  Coming from a very non-technical person like myself, I must say I was elated when I was able to get all of the elements "just right"!  I lined up the cherries, added the cute little smilie face, and added a sentiment.  I was even able to position the  elements so I could just trim the CS, score a foldline and voila'!  I colored one cherry and scored some lines for definition.  I like the CAS look of this one.

Image/Sentiment: Clear Dollar Stamps "Cherries on Top" Digital Set
Ink: Printer
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select
Extras: Prismas/Goo Gone, Scor-Pal

The last set I'm showing today is called "Ice Cream Sticks".  It has a fun variety of images and sentiments, and I was eager to work with it as I am an ice cream lover!  I used a sketch from Charisma Cardz for my first card.  I paired the image with some fun, summery bright colored DP and colored the ice cream to coordinate.

Image/Sentiment: Clear Dollar Stamps "Ice Cream Sticks" Digital Set
Ink: Printer (dark brown)
Paper: PTI Hawaiian Shores and Dark Chocolate, Jillibean Soup DP
Extras: Prismas/Crayolas/Goo Gone, Spellbinder's Nestabilities, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks: Stripes
Crafting For All Seasons: Ice Cream/Popsicle

I used a sketch from the CAS blog for my next card.  The image is printed on CS and DP, then cut out and popped up.  I added a banner with the sentiment and some Bella Dots.

Image/Sentiment: Clear Dollar Stamps "Ice Cream Sticks" Digital Set
Ink: Printer (dark brown), SU! Marker (Close to Cocoa)
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Dark Chocolate, American Crafts DP
Embellies: Bella Dots
Extras: The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I did some more paper piecing with my last card.  I popped the cone up and elevated the sentiment in the middle.  I finished with a couple Bella Dots.

Image/Sentiment: Clear Dollar Stamps "Ice Cream Social" Digital Set
Ink: Printer (dark brown), SU! Marker (Close to Cocoa)
Paper: PTI Kraft, Stamper's Select, Dark Chocolate, and Dotty Biscotti DP
Embellies: Bella Dots
Extras: The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

I am entering this card in Love to Create's 3 of Something challenge.

Well, that's it for today; I hope you will head on over to Clear Dollar Stamps to check out the new goodies!  Thanks for stopping by!

Angela

Tuesday Morning Sketches #147

Good morning (again!); I'm back with another challenge from Tuesday Morning Sketches.  Our sponsor this week is Clear Dollar Stamps; and I was lucky enough to have my choice of images.  I chose the set "Little Strawberry"...and it's in color!  I couldn't resist the chocolate strawberry...it looks so yummy!

I printed the sentiment, strawberry, and flower/leaf combo, then cut out the images and mounted them on the sentiment panel.  I kept the cardbase clean and simple with an embossed panel and a bit of brown to highlight the chocolate strawberry.

Image/Sentiment: Clear Dollar Stamps "Little Strawberry" Color Digital Set
Ink: Printer, SU! Going Gray Marker
Paper: PTI Stamper's Select and Dark Chocolate, SU! Poppy Parade
Embellie: SU! Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon
Extras: Spellbinder's Nestabilities, Sizzix Embossing Folder, The Paper Studio Sticky Doos

Please head on over to the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog to see what the rest of the DT has created with this versatile sketch.  Play along for a chance to win a prize from Clear Dollar Stamps.

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:

Cardmadfairy's Digi Days: Clean and Simple
CAS-ual Fridays: Punches (plus CAS)
Inspired By: Photo Inspiration
Ooh-la-la Creations: Ribbon or Twine

Thanks for stopping by!

Angela