Unscripted Sketches #152

Yes, another pink, white & black card (truly one of my favorite color combos) but this time with a definite purpose. 

Our nephew Graham just got engaged to an amazing young woman named Pam.  Pam loves this color combo almost as much as she loves Graham.  She has always said that this was going to be her wedding colors, so hence the pink, white & black card. 

Pam also 'strongly' suggested to Graham that she would love a heart shaped diamond one day and a heart shaped diamond ring is what she got....and WOWZA, what a ring it is !!!

This card really came together fast - maybe because the sketch and the color combo was decided for me so there was no wasted time trying to make decisions! I really found this sketch easy to work with and hope that you will be inspired to join in our challenge this week. Just click to link:  Unscripted Sketches

Speaking of Unscripted Sketches....have you heard that they have put out a Design Team Call ?   Interested?  Check out the details here:

http://unscriptedsketches.com/2012/03/new-designers-wanted/

..... AND.... stay tuned for Unscripted Sketches upcoming blog-iversary! There might just be a prize or two available to be won....I'm just sayin' that I may have heard that somewhere....

Happy crafting everyone!

Unscripted Sketch #151

A side view that somewhat captures the 'popped up' window panel.....

.... and a close-up of the bead & sentiment

Sarah referred to her latest sketch as 'bare bones' .... she left it up to our imagination to come up with something really interesting!

My take, however, may not be too original!  I instantly thought of a window pane and just went with that.  I tried really hard to get a good photo that captures the raised 'window pane' that is popped up on a double layer of dimensionls.  It does look much better in RL.  The cardstock has a light shimmer to it that really catches the light nicely.

Of course, purple is one of my favorite colors and I just happened to have a Copic marker that matched the cardstock perfectly.  The stamp is another Micheal's find ($1.50) that was stamped repeatedly (using my Stamp-a-ma-jig), then every other stripe was colored with BV00.

I made a template on graph paper using my rectangle nesties, then transferred the pattern to the cardstock.  It took four tries and a 1:30am finish (.... yawn!) to get it just right!  

I'm sure that if someone didn't see the original sketch, they would think that I measured wrong because it is offset to the left instead of centred on the panel :)

Now, some exciting news:   Unscripted Sketches has put out a Design Team call so if you are interested please check out the details here:

http://unscriptedsketches.com/2012/03/new-designers-wanted/

....looking forward to seeing all your creations here at Unscripted Sketch #151

Happy crafting!

Retro Sketches #3

Retro Sketches..."Where every sketch is a blast from our past!"

What ????

Yes, a new sketch challenge blog that is growing faster than a grass fire in a wind storm!  Seriously, you have got to check it out here: 

 http://retrosketches.blogspot.ca/

Arielle, Jackie, Casia & Lori have teamed up to create one of the most happenin' blogs!  The numbers of entries is soaring with each new sketch.  It is no wonder though, with the inspirational creations posted by this amazing DT !

I missed sketch #1 and #2 (life got in the way) but am happy to be able to play along this week.

Our son's 32nd birthday is coming up (April 1st.....yes, a fitting day for his arrival) so a truly manly card was in order.  Just for the record, I had him when I was only 2 years old, so that puts me at a young 34......... I wish!!!

Eric hunts, fishes, camps, has a huge husky cross dog, drives a diesel 4 x 4, is a Journeyman Red Seal Certified Carpenter and has dead animals hanging on his walls so obviously, pastel poof would not work here!

A few rivets, some black cording, lots of distressing, simple sentiment, black/brown color combo......done!

Happy crafting!

Unscripted Sketches #150

 Version Two (Scalloped Bottom) 

Did you happen to see the submissions last week? WOW!  Honestly, choosing just three cards from such an amazing talent pool is like having to pick just one favorite flavor of ice cream!!!

Okay, so I really pushed the boundaries of the sketch this week!  But hey, isn't that what interpretation is all about?

This new Inkadinkado stamp set just happened to jump right into my cart on my last trip to Walmart and it was begging to be inked up!

I used black Stazon ink for a nice dark impression.  The second card has some crystal effects painted on the roses and leaves which gives it an even richer look (hard to tell in the photo).

So now, I feel the need to justify my interpretation of this awesome sketch:

- the green & coral border at the bottom of my card is intended to be the horizontal stripe that runs 'close to the bottom' of the sketch 

- the 'Just Because' sentiment is my version of the wee round disc, and 

- I shifted the entire sketch to the bottom of my card

I am looking forward to another round of wow, so please click to link up your creations:  Unscripted Sketches

Happy crafting!

Unscripted Sketches #149



A truly clean and simple card for a clean and simple sketch :)

I tried many different 'flips' on the sketch but came back to the posted version....it just seemed to work better with the simplicity of the card idea that I had planned.

This is a wee stamp that I picked up at Michael's for $1.50 and I have used it numerous times.  I colored it with my copic markers, drew a border around with the .07 copic multiliner, and then popped it up with dimensionals.

I have seen the PTI linen folder used on so many cards and I love it! However, I don't own one so I improvised with my SU texture plate.  I found the traditional sandwich embossed too deeply so I eliminated one of the cutting pads and used various combinations of shims of paper until I got the soft compression that I wanted.

We would love to have you share your interpretation of this week's sketch with us at Unscripted Sketches.  Simply click to link: http://unscriptedsketches.com/2012/03/unscripted-sketches-149/ 

Happy crafting!

Unscripted Sketches #148

My absolute favorite sketch so far!  I had so many ideas spinning 'round in my wee brain...what to choose, what to choose ??? 

I started out with clean & simple but obviously that didn't happen!

I just had to use my new stamp/die set that I purchased from Ellen's store.  See the side bar for a direct link.  Her on-line store inventory is amazing and her shipping to Canada is very reasonable.

The three butterflies might be a wee bit too big for a card front but I was anxious to use them so angled them a bit to adapt to the sketch.  The glitter on the wings looks a bit like dark blobs but in RL it has a nice soft aqua colored shimmer.

Did you see the amazing entries last week?  Wow! So much talent! I'm sure I get carried away commenting on the blogs but it is just so darn exciting that I really can't help myself.  Sometimes I feel like I could type a whole paragraph !!!

Link up your marvelous creations here at Unscripted Sketches.

Happy crafting!

Re-Do



A bit of a re-vamp on my card that I made for Unscripted Sketch #147.  The original is 'okay' but just not really my style.  There was something that I just wasn't happy with.....maybe too much black ???  Anyway, I managed to gently remove the embossed panels (see tip below) without tearing the paper!  I also changed the color of the embroidery cotton and re sized the card.  A new clean & simple look that really draws the eye to the pretty little glass bead (that I totally love).

Tip:  One of the girls from our stamp club (Terri) shared this with us and it works!!!  Gently heat the back of the card with your heating gun and quickly pull off the panel that you want removed.  You might have to reheat a bit more as it does cool quickly.  It really does work!  The paper may warp a bit but is fine once it is glued down. Use an adhesive remover if there is any glue that needs to be removed.

Unscripted Sketch #147

Another new embossing folder (Hobby Lobby - $5) that I absolute love.  Although it might look like patterned paper, it really isn't!  I rubbed the debossed side of the paper with Momento Black ink until the white paper didn't show through.  I preferred the embossed side but I just couldn't get the ink to go on evenly over the embossed images (without streaking on the paper) so I settled for this version.

It is not obvious in the photo, but the ribbon is actually looped on the left side.  It was 2:00am when I was uploading the picture and there was no way I was spending another 1/2 trying to get a better picture.  Why didn't I do this sooner you ask?  Because I am a procrastinator and probably (most likely) will never change!

The sentiment is Stampin' Up (an old rub-on set from way back).  I really like how it looks turned sideways along the image.

Anyway, you know the drill....take a peak at the DT creations, get inspired, get busy and get linked!

Unscripted Sketches #147

Happy crafting!

Unscripted Sketches #146

.... I can hardly wait to see the cards that are created with this sketch!  No matter which way you flip it, the possibilities are endless. And the optional stitching challenge....love it!

My nephew's girlfriend LOVES everything Pink!  If it is pink, Pam has it.  This card was specifically created for her birthday.  For some reason though, the pink cardstock looks faded  in some places in the photo....much better in RL!

Sometimes when I look at a sketch I get overwhelmed with ideas.  I find that if I taylor the card to a specific individual, the colors, embellishments, techniques just seem to come together easily.  Otherwise, I spend hours (and I mean HOURS) jumping from one thing to another.

I enlarged the photo considerably so that the french knots would show up. I used a shiny/silky crochet cotton for the white knots and plain black embroidery cotton for the black cross stitches.  The cute polka dot ribbon was a $1 score from Hobby Lobby as was this great embossing folder ($5).  I rubbed a dark pink pigment ink over the embossed images (really makes the images pop).

Head on over to Unscripted Sketches , take a peak at what the rest of the DT has stitched together for you and then link up your creations. 

Happy crafting!

Unscripted Sketches #145



Staples, cork & twine - perfect for hubby's birthday card! I used some decorative staples that I bought a kazillion years ago! They were silver so I inked them up with some Black Stazon, then heated them with the heating gun....presto, black staples.  The die cut cork 'buttons' are mounted on black cardstock and stitched with black embroidery floss.  I added a bit of linen thread (two strands to make it look more like twine) and voila - a quick guy card!

PS..."In real life" the colors are Cajun Craze & More Mustard (honestly, it is not red!).

Happy crafting!

The rest of the DT has 'gone & done it' again with some amazing projects! Hop on over to the blog, check things out and then link 'em up!

http://unscriptedsketches.com/2012/02/unscripted-sketches-144/

Unscripted Sketches #144

A close up of the panel.

A baby card for Sketch #144.   You have got to stop by, check out the goods and get busy crafting!  The DT has outdone themselves with this one!

This card was made specifically for my good friend's daughter who had a baby just before Christmas.  Her other daughter had a baby a couple months earlier so she is Grandma twice over within a couple of months....she will be busy!

I love this color combo!  Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry and a bit of patterned paper from an old In Color collection (might be Soft Sky). 

The front panel is popped up on dimensionals. I should have taken a side profile picture to show the space behind the vellum and the striped panel.  I wanted to keep the card 'soft' so the embellishments are intended to support the color rather than be the highlight. 

I can hardly wait to see the gallery!  It is so nice to see more and more people playing along with these fun sketches.

Just click to submit:
http://unscriptedsketches.com/

Happy crafting!



One Layer Wednesday 76

Okay, okay....I know that this is the third version of this card, but.......

Somewhere in my blog stalking travels I came upon Lisa's awesome blog titled I'm in Haven .

While visiting Lisa's blog, I discovered Simplicity, hosted by the talented Susan Raihala, the master of clean and simple!  Susan has taken the time to post several step-by-step, no nonsense, learning tutorials.  You really, REALLY have to pay her blog a visit!

So while there, I discovered yet another challenge - One Layer Wednesday 76.  Grey, white and a pop of color on a one layer card.  Hence, my third version. 

I inked up my stamp (Inkadinkado) with two colors - base layer was Basic Grey with Bordering Blue tapped gently on top (Basic Grey alone was too dark).  My 'pop of color' is the two wee aqua colored pearls on each side of the sentiment.  I wanted to keep the 'pop' somewhat subdued as this is a sympathy card.

....I promise there won't be a fourth version!

Unscripted Sketches #143

I definitely took an 'unscripted' approach to the sketch this week!  But remember, these sketches are just a starting point that will hopefully inspire many different ideas.

I love this stamp and knew that it would work well with this sketch!  I stamped the image in the corner to imitate the semi-circle element.  The stamp is quite intricate so I wanted to use a small sentiment (sympathy seemed appropriate for the image).  The black pen border really grounded the image nicely.

I used Black Stazon on Very Vanilla cardstock.  I made the same card (previous post) on white cardstock but definitely like the look of this card better.

The design team has produced some amazing cards this week so pop on over to Unscripted Sketches, get inspired, then get busy creating and sharing your handiwork with us!

 http://unscriptedsketches.com/

CFC36: Create a Clean And Simple Project that is only black and white.

A really simple and quick card that I thought was perfect as a sympathy card.  The challenge was to create and clean & simple project.  This card does not get any simpler than this!

The stamped image is considerably darker in 'real life'.  I am still trying to figure out the best settings on my new camera - especially with white on white.

Here is the link to the challenge.  There are over 250 amazing entries, so head on over and check out the goods.

http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2012/01/cfc36.html

Map to Your Heart Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

Same card - different photo background

How many of you have done a google search on "crafts made with maps"?  There was literally hundreds of pages of trendy projects using old maps - now who would have thunk it?  Cath (Moxie Fab World) was bang on when she said that "using maps in your paper crafting is nothing short of all the rage". 

I made this card specifically for the Map to Your Heart Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.  I have listed the link at the end of the post if you would like to play along. 

I actually started by using up one whole map (that dear hubby may be searching for one day) but wasn't happy with the color combo.  I then decided to download a map of the city of  Winnipeg (capital of Manitoba, about 4 hours from where we live).  I printed it in black/white and my color combo was born.  This is my DH valentine's day card so I also wanted to keep it masculine (black, white, red).

I might have strayed a bit off track (no pun intended) when I used the map to create a maze on the card so that I could use my creatively punny sentiment:
Our {heart = love} is a-Mazing!!

Although it is hard to see in the photo, the heart is punched out on the main card so that the red glimmer paper (popped up on dimensionals) shows through. 

http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2012/01/map-to-your-heart-challenge.html

Unscripted Sketches #142

Oh dear! This was scheduled to post Saturday morning at 6:30am but it didn't happen!

WOWZERS!  Did you see all the unbelievable, super-calla-craftalicious creations this past week at Unscripted Sketches?  I can hardly wait to see who has been inspired by this week's sketch!

Another sketch with so many possibilities....and I think I put every single one of those possibilities onto this card :)  Honestly, I seriously think that I am way out of my comfort zone here!  I really had to work to come up with something I was happy with.  Hence, the word challenge!

The cellophane window doesn't really show up in the photo (bottom of the removable tag peaks through the window).   The sentiment banner also has a pleat that isn't visible in the photo.  The flip side of the tag has a simple To and From stamped on the back - perfect for the recipient of the card to use on a future gift.

My new Stampin' Up Edgelit Die just arrived and I was eager to use it on this card.  I cut three different color pieces, glue them together and placed it just off centre, highlighting the nice soft curve of the die.  The flowers are from MFT Dienamics.

I really hope you find time to join us this week at Unscripted Sketches.  I know that we will be blown away again by all the amazing submissions!

Unscripted Sketches #141

This week's sketch:

This sketch is guaranteed to generate some awesome submissions this week!

I wanted to use my new Spellbinder Impressabilities - Flower Silhouette as it is such a pretty image.  I used velum for a nice soft look.  I ran the sandwich through my Big Shot four times to get a nice deep impression.  It looks really great when the card is partially opened and the light can filter through. 

I 'unscripted' the sketch somewhat as well by going with a square card...only reason is that I don't have any rectangle spellbinders! 

I can hardly wait to see this week's cards! Honestly, I check the website for new submissions at least three to four times a day!  It is such a good feeling knowing that crafting minds are being inspired all over our world.

Just click on the link below and share your creations with us:

http://unscriptedsketches.com/

Happy crafting everyone!

ric#3 - Gareth Pugh Spring 2012 and Die Cutting Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

The inspiration (WOW!!!) .... how does she walk in those shoes?

This is my first visit to this challenge blog and I absolutely love everything about the site. Make sure you take a peak at all the submissions - so many talented people happily sharing their creative endeavors with all of us!

(Now, honestly, I can't imagine being out and about in our small community in an outfit like this but what this signature piece might lack in functionality, it more than makes up for it with inspiration!)

Here is the link if you would like to play along:
http://www.runwayinspired.blogspot.com/2012/01/ric3-gareth-pugh-spring-2012.html

I used my Nestabilities (Long Classic Rectangles Large) to cut out the sections of the card front.  It did take a bit of planning and measuring to get it right!  I used graph paper to draw out my original templates. Please see the pics below:

I am also entering this card in the Die Cutting Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.  They have some great challenges (and prizes) going on all week for their Cool Tools Week. Pay them a visit and check out all the great information on the latest and greatest tools.  Just click below and get busy crafting!

http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2012/01/cool-tools-week-die-cutting-challenge.html

Unscripted Sketches #140

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season, surrounded by the love of family and friends. 

It is nice to get back into my craft room. Santa picked up on all my "not-so-subtle" hints and I did get a new camera for Christmas....so now the learning begins!  Our daughter gave me a crash course but it is definitely going to take some major trial and error to find the right settings. 

Another fabulous sketch this week.  I actually did two versions of the card.  My original intention was to make the card with a portrait orientation but out of habit, I made it landscape and submitted it that way!  So, I flipped it on it's side, moved the hearts around (good thing for dimensionals that aren't too sticky) and posted this version as well.

I hope that you have been inspired by the awesome creations of the design team.  We would love to have you play along with us this week at Unscripted Sketches. Just click on the link below and share your handiwork with us.

http://unscriptedsketches.com/

Happy crafting everyone!

Unscripted Sketches #139

Love, love, LOVE this sketch!

Clean & simple....definitely my style.  Our daughter and her fiance are home for Christmas so she decided to help out dear old mommy get ahead on my DT duties.  She chose the paper colors, the embellishments and the stamp so this card was an absolute breeze to make!  I was completely finished the card in under two hours.  Believe me, this NEVER happens.....two days is more like it for me.  So, thank you Brady for helping me out!

Wishing you all a very happy new year!