Sketchbook: Sketch #7

As I've mentioned before, I've been taking Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook class at Studio Calico

and, my goal was to keep up with the class and hopefully complete it in May.

Well, Sketch 7 was posted on Tuesday and, since I had the day off yesterday,

I was able to make a layout & a card with it.

I know I probably won't get Sketch 8 done before the end of the month

(we're off in Winnipeg today volunteering at a taekwondo tournament 

and tomorrow, our local theatre is having a Jurassic Park marathon), 

but I'm still pretty pleased with staying as caught up as I have!

I'm not allowed to post the sketch here on my blog,

but here are my projects that I made it.

Here's the layout:

It's not the best quality photo, but I love it! 

I stuck pretty closely to the sketch on this one.

The background cardstock is Bazzill Basics Classic Smooth White.

The aqua woodgrain patterned paper is American Crafts and I created

the music note patterned paper by stamping a Clearly Besotted stamp

over some Echo Park cardstock.

I added a Crate Paper tag and layered a Crate Paper chipboard frame over top.

I stamped the "bon voyage" from Papertrey Ink's Get Lost stamp set.

Here's a close-up of my journaling:

And here's the super quick card that I made using 

all pre-made embellishments & no stamping or diecutting! 

(I know! I'm pretty shocked, too!)

I reversed where the photo & sentiment were placed on the sketch,

but I'm really pleased with how it turned out!

I used a Crate Paper tag that I switched the tie it came

with for some button twine.

The flowers are all Heidi Swapp.

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

It's been a good week!

1. On Tuesday, my best friend, Val, had the day off, so we spent the

day together in Winnipeg, shopping (something we haven't done since

the Women of Faith conference last fall!)

It was very fun -- and a nice break!

2. Sage and I have decided to make some fairy gardens.

We went shopping for plants on Monday after school and

saw some very fun little ceramic houses

-- which were also quite pricey!
I suggested that we get some clay & make our own.  

(I wondered if we'd need a kilm, but we called Sage's art teacher

and she said that air dry clay would work fine.)

So I picked some up on Tuesday in Winnipeg

and we started making the houses yesterday after school.

We made our house front and had no idea how to keep it upright....

so we leaned it up against my paper trimmer and stacked a few things on top.

And look! We made a little bird bath!
In Winnipeg, I also picked up two very pretty galvinized tubs.

Don't worry: I will share photos when we're done.

3. Tomorrow, Sage, Jonah & I are off to Winnipeg

to volunteer at the Ironfist Taekwondo tournament.

I'll be a judge for patterns and a referee for sparring and they're volunteering as runners.

Oh, and at Jonah's request, we'll be going to A&W afterwards for supper. ;)

4. As I've shared before, I've been taking

 Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook class at Studio Calico.

On Wednesday, I worked on some projects for Sketch 6.

Here's the layout I made, using some Reverse Confetti products:

So, when I did my craft room purge last month, I came across these

 Scenic Route chipboard letters, of which I have three packages.

I debated on getting rid of them, but didn't.

Instead, I'm challenging myself to use them.

With lots of letters missing (no a, e, r, t, g, etc.), it's been a little challenging.

I pulled them out for this layout and had a hard time coming up with a title,

since I couldn't do "cuddles", "cuddling", "kitten", etc.

I finally settled on "cloud 9."

Yes, that's a nine. ;)

On my Bazzill Basics Classic Smooth White cardstock base, I stamped

one of the stamped from Color Me Happy to create my splatter --

I love that I can stamp this and not leave it up to messy chance!

The patterned paper I used is American Crafts DIY.

Under the second photo, I stamped the sentiment from Fancy Words Coordinates.

5. The store where I sell my cards in my town has requested some sympathy cards.

I decided to make four sympathy cards using the sketch.

Now, during my craft room purge, I also came across lots of

embellishments that I loved the look of in the store when I bought them

but then didn't seem to use on any of my cards/layouts.

I'm pretty sure this is because I prefer to make my own

(you know, to justify my large stamp collection). ;)

But as I was getting rid of things, I decided to hold onto the ones I still

really liked and figured that now was a great time to use some of them.

So I made four sympathy cards, using the sketch,

some Bazzill Basics Classic Smooth White cardstock,

a rectangle of American Crafts' DIY patterned paper and

my favourite sympathy sentiment from Reverse Confetti's Lots to Say.

Here they are:

This chipboard shape is Crate Paper.

I matted this card on a piece of Bazzill Card Shoppe: Cotton Candy cardstock.

This card is also matted on Bazzill Card Shoppe: Cotton Candy cardstock.

The flower diecut is from Heidi Swapp and I added a couple of PTI buttons with twine.

This card is matted on Bazzill Card Shoppe: Rock Candy cardstock.

The chipboard is from Crate Paper and I added a PTI button with twine.

And lastly, this card is matted on Bazzill Basics Turquoise Mist cardstock

and the chipboard embellishment is from Echo Park.

 

Thanks for looking!

CAS(E) This Sketch #125

Today, I have a card to share that I made for

 CAS(E) This Sketch #125 designed by N@ Ali:

Here's my card:

I stamped the little animals from Mama Elephant's Three Amigos stamp set.

I stamped them in Versafine onyx black and heat embossed them in clear.

Then, I pressed some terracotta tile onto an acrylic block, spritzed it with water

and used a paintbrush to paint in the fox.

Then I did the same thing with soft stone and slate ink for the raccoon.

I was inspired by Sage's card here to use the smooshing technique with aqua mist ink

at the top of my card for the sky.

 

I diecut the fence from stamper's select white cardstock using Pretty Pink Posh's Picket Fence die.

Then, I diecut the grass from spring moss cardstock using Pretty Pink Posh's Stitched Border 2 die.

The sentiment is from PTI's Keep It Simple: Birthday.

Visit CAS(E) this Sketch to see the rest of the DT's takes on the sketch 

and to play along, if you'd like.

You have until Thursday, June 4th to link up your card.

Thanks for looking!

Using leftovers

I had a couple of jars leftover from the Dear Lizzy patterned paper

that I used to make this layout, so I decided to use one on a card.

I started with some Classic Smooth White Bazzill cardstock as my background.

On it, I stamped a few flowers from PTI's Quilted: Summer stamp set and 

then stamped four more on the coordinating diecuts.

I also stamped my "enjoy" from PTI's Bitty Bouquets.

I fussy cut the jar by hand and stamped the "enjoy" as well as

"it's your birthday" from PTI's County Fair.

Then, I adhered the jar to my card, layering it over top, lining up the "enjoy" sentiments.

I matted it on a piece of Bazzill Basics Sparkle Bling cardstock.

I'm linking this up to this week's 

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes.

Thanks for looking!

Sketchbook: Sketch 5

I've been taking Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook class at Studio Calico

and, this weekend, I made a layout and a card using the sketch.

I'm not allowed to post the sketch here on my blog,

but here are my projects that I made using Reverse Confetti products.

Here's the layout I made for Sketch 5:

I started with a background of Bazzill Basics CS White cardstock.

Over this, I layered a piece of Dear Lizzy patterned paper that I cut out by hand.

In the second jar in the top row, I stamped the "God is Good" sentiment from God is Good.

For my title, I stamped the "today" from Right Here, Right Now twice:

once in plum pudding and the second time in aqua mist, but slightly lower and to the right.

I embellished it with a trio of buttons.

Here's a close up of my journaling, which I typed onto the back of the jar patterned paper.

I also stamped another sentiment from God is Good in the bottom jar.

For my card, I used one of my favourite new sets: Monkey Business:

On a piece of Bazzill Basics CS White cardstock, I was able to stack up my monkeys 

to follow the sketch, with a bit of masking.

I stamped the sentiment (from Monkey Business) onto a piece of 

Bazzill Basics Robin's Egg cardstock, which I diecut using Stitched Flag Trio Confetti Cuts,

which I trimmed down a bit to fit.

The patterned paper is Fancy Pants.

 

 

Thanks for looking!

Papertrey Ink May Blog Hop

Once again, I'm playing along with the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop.
I actually figured it out and this is my 50th PTI Blog Hop!
I started in April 2011 and have played along every month since. :)

This month's challenge is an inspiration photo:

Isn't it fabulous?
Here's my card:

I decided to stamp the little birds from the MIM Wee One Mini kit
in the same colours and shape as the blocks in the photo.
I stamped my sentiment (from Graceful Greetings)
and fussy cut it out by hand for the Make It Monday #212: Fussy Cutting Tips.
I adhered it with some foam tape, over some white thread.
I thought the thread really added to the motion of the birds!

Before you go, I just want to let you know that I'm up on the Bazzill Basics Blog again today.

But this time, instead of featuring a project, I'm doing a tour of my craft space!

Click here to see more and to check out the changes I've made.

Thanks for looking!

Altenew May Challenge: From Places Abroad -- Tunisia

Today, I have a card to share for the 

Altenew May Challenge: From Places Abroad -- Tunisia:

I was inspired by the aqua, gold and royal blue colours in the photo.

Here is my card:

I started with a panel of Bazzill Basics Robin's Egg cardstock.

On it, I stamped the branch from Altenew's Vintage Flowers stamp set

in versamark and heat embossed it in gold.

I stamped the flowers from the same set in Wplus9's white ink three times each

(have I mentioned lately how much I love my MISTI?)

and then added the second layer to each one using Memento ink.

Finally, I stamped my sentiment (from Altenew's Vintage Roses stamp set)

in versafine onyx black.

Thanks for looking!

Wplus9 Challenge: Get Sketchy with Joni #1

Today, I have a card to share that I made for a new challenge

on the Wplus9 blog: Get Sketchy with Joni.

Here's sketch #1:

For my card, I decided to use my Wplus9 Spring Blooms stamp set

and dies and layer them over a Pretty Pink Posh stitched die.

I stamped the sentiment using Wplus9's Fresh Cut Florals stamp set.

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

1. We woke up to snow Monday morning, but today is gorgeous -- sunny and hot!

I even wore sandals to work today. :)

Our weekend plans: to work in our yard & soak up the sun.

2. I had the day off on Wednesday, so I decided to switch up some of my décor for summer.

My friend gave me this sign for Christmas -- I love it!

I placed it outside my front door and it totally makes me smile every time I see it.

I took down my Christmas cards in our hallway and decided to

display some summery layouts.

A few summery items on our computer armoire...

... and I changed up a few things on our piano,

including a new verse on the chalkboard.

3. Last night, Austin, Jonah, Sage & I drove to Winnipeg to see

our favourite comedian: Matt Falk.

He was filming a live show at the Garrick theatre downtown and, since tickets

were only five dollars, we had to go.

It was rush seating, so I dropped the boys off at the door and told them

to grab some seats while Sage & I parked the card.

Well, they did well -- front row seats!

A quick picture before the show started.

Matt is so funny!

And it's so nice that his material is clean and appropriate for the whole family.

We had a great time!

4. As I've mentioned before, I'm taking Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook class at Studio Calico.

This week, I made a layout using Sketch 4:

I found this sketch more challenging, but I'm happy with what I created.

I decided to showcase some photos of Sage & my "girls weekend" last month.

I stamped my title using PTI's Wet Paint Alphabet.

I used some Crate Paper patterned paper on my layout,

and a Crate Paper chipboard embellishment.

I stamped and diecut these SSS Flowers On My Mind from some 

Bazzill Basics CS White cardstock and used the same cardstock for the base of my layout.

Here's a close up of my journaling.

5. And, as has become my habit, I also made a card using the sketch.

I decided that instead of paper-piecing the background in a grid like

I did on my layout, I would just create the grid with my score-pal.

I did a little smooshing on my background with a mango gelato onto

a piece of Bazzill Basics CS White Cardstock before adhering my flowers over top.

The sentiment is from PTI's Graceful Greetings.

I matted my card on a piece of Bazzill Basics Blossom cardstock.

Thanks for looking!