Sketch N Scrap Card Sketch #184

 Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by today, I have a fun new card sketch to share with you that is up on the Sketch N Scrap blog today.  Card sketch #184 was created by sketch artist Lisa Hidy:

And here's my take on it:

I put this card together using scraps from a Photoplay Christmas line from last year.  The Santa gnome was fussy cut from a tag.  I didn't have enough patterned paper so I decided to stamp my own plaid background using a Catherine Pooler plaid background stamp and CTMH Cranberry ink.  I think it gave it a rustic, festive look!

I hope you're inspired to use this sketch and come by Sketch N Scrap to share your work with us.  Hope to see you there!

Sketch N Scrap Layout Sketch #215

 Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by today, I have a fun new layout sketch to share with you that's up on the Sketch N Scrap blog today.  Sketch designer Lisa Hidy created this layout sketch:

And here's my take on it:

I had SO much fun playing with this sketch, and with papers and elements I don't get to use very often!  Before I joined the team at Sketch N Scrap, I enjoyed playing along with the sketch challenges.  I was SO excited to see my name as the monthly winner one month and the prize was the Simple Stories Sub Zero collection pack.  I've used quite a bit of it for cards and Christmas tags, and always thought it would be the perfect line to scrapbook about this sweet little gift my son gave me when he was 7...a snowman votive holder he made at school.  Along with the candle holder is a sweet little poem his teacher had him write.  Since I live in Florida I  don't have beautiful pictures of snow to scrap (and I don't like to travel during winter, either LOL).  I'm so glad I finally scrapped this, and the papers and elements worked perfectly, I'm so happy with the end result.

I added some "snow" to my page using an old favorite stencil from Heidi Swapp and texture paste:

I also worked in some wood veneer hearts and alphas, and added clear gems to the centers of my snowflake stickers:

I hope you find this sketch to be as inspiring as I did! Come play along with us at Sketch N Scrap and show us what you can do with this sketch, hope to see you there!

Sketch N Scrap Card Sketch #182

 Hey everyone! Thanks for stopping by today, I'm so glad you did because I have a new card sketch I've created for Sketch N Scrap that is up on the blog today:

And here is my take on it:

I know it's still November, but many of us fall into two categories: 1. you started your Christmas cards in July and they're all set to be mailed OR 2. you haven't started yet.  I'm category number 2 for sure.  While I don't make or send as many handmade Christmas cards as I used to, I often need a quick card for a gift or coworker, etc.  I designed this sketch for a quick & easy card, so easy to just grab some scraps & maybe a piece of Christmas ephemera or a cardstock sticker that's ready to go....and it's done!  The angles add a little interest while keeping the design quick & easy.  For mine I used this adorable CTMH gnome:

Some Spectrum Noir Triblend markers and a CTMH gold shimmer brush turned this little guy into quite the festive embellishment!  I hope it has inspired you to come on over to Sketch N Scrap and show us what you can do with this sketch. Hope to see you there!

Sketch N Scrap Layout Sketch #213

 Hi everybody! Thanks so much for stopping by today, I've created another sketch for Sketch N Scrap that I'd like to share with you, hope it inspires you to create today:

And here's my take on it, using the FABULOUS new Storyteller line from Vicki Boutin:

So I took a departure from my typical style and dabbled in some mixed media on this one, and boy am I hooked! (Pun intended with the fishing picture LOL).  I used Vicki Boutin art crayons to create a watercolor and used the "kissing" technique.  After that dried, I took a stencil, stencil brush and used dry art crayon to create the pattern over it.  

I think I've mentioned in previous posts that I'm trying to incorporate some stamping into my layouts, I have SO many stamp sets....yikes!  I think I'm one stamp set away from having to build an addition on to my house LOL.  You know what I noticed when taking a close look at my sets?  There are lots of sets that have these little extra images, I bet they go unnoticed quite a bit because they aren't the larger, main images.  One of my CTMH stamp sets had these little plus signs, along with flowers, leaves, sentiments, etc.  I stamped them in several places throughout my layout for a fun little something extra to my background:

I will journal in a 6x12 pocket page next to this in my album because......honestly......I was afraid of ruining this background I'd worked so hard on!  Seriously!  The pic was taken on my 48th birthday, this past August, when my husband and son took me out for a beautiful day on the boat.  What a wonderful day :)

Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you decide to come join us at Sketch N Scrap and show us what you can do with this sketch, hope to see you there!

World Cardmaking Day Card Sketch #4

 Hey everyone! Thanks for stopping by, I have another card sketch to share with you that is up on the Sketch N Scrap blog today:

This sketch is our 4th in a series of 5 sketches this month to celebrate World Card Making Day.  Here is my take on the sketch:

For this card I used some beautiful papers from My Mind's Eye's Gingham Gardens 6x8 paper pad.  I am loving 6x8 pads these days, I tend to use smaller pieces for layouts & of course they're perfect for cards! And you practically get the whole collection in one pad, love it!  For the floral cluster and sentiment I used one of my favorite CTMH stamp sets, Simple Florals.  A little bit of wound up jute twine & machine stitching & I just love the end result!

I hope this sketch inspires you to come by and play along with us at Sketch N Scrap. We have lots of challenges going through the end of the month, so there's still time to join us, hope to see you there!

World Cardmaking Day Card Sketch #3

 Hey everyone! The celebration continues at Sketch N Scrap all month long for World Cardmaking Day!  This week Lisa Hidy has designed a sketch that is sure to inspire you:

And here's my take on it:

This sketch was SO much fun to work with!  I used a few different techniques...starting with the sunflower.  This is a brand new stamp & die set from CTMH that I know I will use over and over again.  I colored it with Triblend markers (light yellow, gold brown, earth brown and dull green). For the butterflies, I stamped them directly onto the woodgrain paper, then used yellow and orange watercolors with a watercolor brush to make them come to life.  Last, I heat embossed the sentiment:

Come on over to Sketch N Scrap and show us what you can do with this sketch.  We have lots of other card sketch challenges running this month for you to play along with. Hope to see you there!

Sketch N Scrap WCMD 2020 Sketch #2

Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by today, I have a new sketch to share with you that is up on the Sketch N Scrap blog.  I designed this slimline card sketch for our WCMD month-long celebration at Sketch N Scrap:

And here is my take on it:

I recently purchased a CTMH Summer Vibes card kit, but went rogue with it and created my own cards LOL  I just love the fun summer treat stamps and the fact that they come with coordinating dies!  I pulled out papers from my stash that just blended well together with the CTMH patterns and made those little watermelon wedges pop!  To color in the watermelon I used Spectrum Noir Triblend markers and the sentiment is from another older CTMH stamp set.

Come by Sketch N Scrap to show us what you can do with this sketch.  If you love to make cards we have inspiration for you throughout the month, with a new card sketch posted each Saturday, in addition to our regular monthly challenges.  You won't want to miss it, hope to see you there!

Sketch N Scrap Card Sketch #179

 Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by today, fall is in the air and I have a card to celebrate autumn to share with you:

And here is the sketch I designed for Sketch N Scrap Card Sketch challenge #179 that is up on the blog today:

Every once in a while I like to stray away from the traditional A2 card size and do something a little different.  For this card I went with a 5" square design and filled it with lots of fun fall papers, embellies and colors.  I used some scraps from Carta Bella's Fall Market line and a Tim Holtz die for "hello"  I always forget I have that set, there are so many great words for cards and layouts, another item in my stash I should pledge to use more!

Come on over to Sketch N Scrap and show us what you can do with this sketch. Hope to see you there!

Sketch N Scrap Layout Sketch #210

Hi everybody! Thanks for stopping by today, it's the first of the month and that means there's a new layout sketch up on the Sketch N Scrap blog!  I designed this sketch and hope it inspires you to create:

And here's my take on it:

We don't have crisp fall weather here in SW Florida or beautiful foliage.  The closest thing we have would be a dry, dead palm frond dropping to the ground LOL  Last fall, my husband and I traveled to Missouri to visit my Mom and took a drive to see some of the foliage around Mark Twain Lake.  It was a nice change to the heat and humidity back home!

To create the layout I used some Carta Bella Fall Market papers and cardstock stickers.  The wood grain background is also Carta Bella from a different line.  I decided to fussy cut some of the floral pattern and layered a tag, chipboard leaf & flair.  On the left side of my design I layered a large scallop piece, another chipboard tag & a cardstock sticker.  I also used some randomly wound jute twine under the sticker, just to add a little something.  It's one of my favorite things to add to my layouts lately, just a little wound up jute twine for a final touch:

Come on over to the Sketch N Scrap blog and show us what you can do with this sketch.  Hope to see you there!

Sketch N Scrap Layout Sketch #209

Hi everybody! Thanks for stopping by today, I have a fantastic new sketch to share with you that is up on the Sketch N Scrap blog today!  This sketch was designed by Lisa Hidy:

And here's my take on it:

What a fun sketch, I love the elements on the left, perfect to build a cluster!  If you stopped by at the beginning of the month you already know how much I'm loving the Simple Stories Bro & Co line.  Here, I paired the papers and elements with a Bella Blvd besties background paper.  I've really been trying to make an effort to get my stamps out more and use them on my layouts.  The Let's Wander star stamps & dies add a fun touch to this little boy layout. I also used one of my favorite new items, a Catherine Pooler camera stamp & die set!  These are so fun to color, I used a Spectrum Noir Ice Grey Triblend marker and an Altenew blender pen with a navy and yellow ink to create a color coordinated camera embellishment.

Come on over to Sketch N Scrap and show us what you can do with this sketch. There are other challenges running throughout the month, too. Hope to see you there!

Sketch N Scrap Card Sketch #177

Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by today!  I'd like to share with you the first card sketch for the month is up on the Sketch N Scrap Blog, designed by Heather Hall:

And here's my take on it:

In the place of the large flower element I decided to use a doily and layer this cute farm truck hauling florals.  I just love using up little elements from collections that I don't use on layouts for my cards.  This card was created using all scraps from Jillibean Soup and a scrap of light wood grain from Crate Paper for the doily. 

This sketch was fun to create with, come on over to Sketch N Scrap and show us what you can do with this sketch. Hope to see you there!

Sketch N Scrap Layout Sketch #208

Hi Everyone! Thanks for stopping by today, I have an awesome new sketch to share with you that is up on the Sketch N Scrap blog today!  The September 1st sketch was designed by Heather Hall:

And here's my take on it:

The slightly angled strip under the title of Heather's sketch inspired me to create a few more angles with her design.  I angled the center portion of the design and used my notebook edge border punch to create the stapled strips.  I also used some angles on the top and bottom borders.  I am loving Simple Stories' Bro & Co line, the warm colors are so vibrant!  Mixed in with the Bro & co is a random sheet of Pinkfresh Studios navy paper with little white circles from my stash.  Rather than use a large label edge on the right, I decided to create a cluster in it's place using a Kaisercraft grid texture stamp and layered elements on top of it.  For balance, I used the same stamp to the left, I think it gives the background a little somethin' somethin' LOL

Stop by at Sketch N Scrap and show us what you can do with this sketch! Hope to see you there!

Sketch N Scrap Card Sketch #176

Hi everyone, what a great birthday present to me to have you stop by today LOL  Yep, that's right, I'm @? years old today :)  My gift to you is to share a card sketch I've designed for Sketch N Scrap for their final challenge in August:

And here's my take on it:

I made this card for a friend of mine who recently got a new golden retriever puppy, his name is Boomer.  Isn't that adorable?  Well, Boomer had to have a "welcome baby" gift and card so I pulled out my set of CTMH Operation Smile stamps and my golden brown Spectrum Noir triblend marker.  Along with some paper scraps, twine & a congratulations stamp I just love the end result.  The cutest thing is when we showed up to meet Boomer in person, the coloring on the card was just right :) :)

Come on over to Sketch N Scrap and play along, you have until the end of the month for all of the challenges we have posted this month. Hope to see you there!

Sketch N Scrap Layout Sketch #207

Hi everyone! Thanks for coming by today, I am so happy to share with you the sketch I designed for Sketch N Scrap's mid-month challenge:

And here's my take on it:

If I had to pick a favorite line in the last year, it would hands-down be Vicki Boutin's Let's Wander!  I used this gorgeous line in my June Sketch N Scrap layout sample and commented on the versatility, don't let the title fool you, it's not just for travel!  Here, I used it for pics of me and my sweet baby girl, Lola.  We adopted this 7-year old sweetheart from a Cocker Spaniel rescue last September and we all just love her so much!

Cutting apart the sunburst paper was so fun, I chose to distress the edges & use machine stitching on each piece:

The butterflies were fussy-cut from an older VB line 6x8 pad, Wildflower & Honey.  I pulled out an old pack of black foam word stickers to use with my title.  I got it on clearance at HL years ago, but that's one of those things you keep in your stash because.....someday.....it will be the perfect fit on a project. So glad I did!

Come on over to Sketch N Scrap and show us what you can do with this sketch, hope to see you there!

Sketch N Scrap Card Sketch #173

Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by today, I have our first Sketch N Scrap card challenge sketch for July to share with you:

I had fun designing this sketch and immediately knew I wanted to work with stars for July.  Here's my take on it, a masculine birthday card:

I pulled completely from my scrap bin for the papers on this and some leftover cardstock stickers from EP's Teen Spirit Boy line.  I sized and cut the star using my Cricut and used the negative space as my background. The backed piece is a piece of white cardstock embossed with a Kaisercraft embossing folder with a triangle design.  The Happy Birthday sentiment is stamped on the inside of the card. 

Come play along with us at Sketch N Scrap and show us what you can do with this sketch! Hope to see you there!

Sketch N Scrap Layout Sketch #204

Hi everyone! Can you believe we're halfway through 2020 already?  Hope this finds you all healthy, safe and doing well.  Today I'm excited to share another sketch I've designed for Sketch N Scrap! It's currently up on the blog and our first challenge for July:

And here's my take on it:

I recently got my long-awaited order from A Cherry On Top that had the new Simple Stories' Bro & Co line! I LOVE the patterns and colors in this line.  I'm a fan of patterns over picture icons in patterned papers and this line doesn't disappoint!  There are also plenty of embellishments for teens, which is a nice departure from so many lines that are more juvenile in appearance.  I pulled out an OLD SS wood background that had just the right hint of a grayish tone to coordinate.  I think it was from an old summer themed line that had multi colors of wood grains...not sure because I cut the strip off a long time ago LOL

This is a layout with a picture taken on my son's 8th birthday, back in 2008.  I am not embarrassed at all to say I often re-do pages and scrap pictures I've already scrapped before, especially during this time period.  I was churning out pages for a LSS to use for display samples and often not happy with the results, that's what happens when you don't scrap for yourself...lesson learned!  So when I go through my book and see a great picture....where I tried to convince customers how to use Sassafras Lass for their boy pages......you better believe that layout is going bye bye and I'm re-doing that layout! LOL  I do love and plan to keep many of my older layouts, but my style has definitely evolved & changed, and if I love the picture but not the page I have no qualms with a do-over :)

I have to confess, when designing this sketch I had a particular stamp in mind, one of my current favorites, a scribble circle from Impression Obsession:

I really like the added touch it gives with layering embellishments.  This look can be achieved by using any type of circle & a black pen, too.

Come on over and join us at Sketch N Scrap and show us what you can do with sketch!  Be sure to check back for our other challenges posted throughout the month, too, hope to see you there!

Sketch N Scrap Layout Challenge #203

Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by today, I'm super excited to share with you my first layout sketch for Sketch N Scrap!

And here is my take on it:

I am loving Vicki Boutin's new Let's Wander line, it is so versatile, not just for travel and vacation layouts.  I used some of the beautiful blue patterns on this page of my son.  The star patterned paper is perfect for fussy cutting and I also used Vicki's Let's Go stamp & die set to add more stars. 

I always try to pull something old from my stash on my projects. The background is an old Echo Park graph paper and I added some interest to the background by splattering some Art Anthology mists and adding some texture paste with my favorite Art Anthology stencil, I love the touch this pattern adds to my boy pages:

The base of my cluster at the top is a CTMH arrow border stamp and Juniper Mist ink from Catherine Pooler.  This is the first time I've used her inks, and I wasn't too sure about them at first because the ink pads are SO spongy.  But with some trial and error I figured out the right amount of pressure to keep the ink off the surrounding area of my acrylic block and I LOVE this color.  It's a nice, deep navy that I know I'll use a lot!

Come by Sketch N Scrap and show us what you can do with this sketch, hope to see you there!

Sketch N Scrap Card Sketch #171

Hi everybody! I'm super excited to share with you a sketch that I've created for Sketch N Scrap! It's card sketch #171:

And here's my take on it..........I took a literal approach with the flamingo! LOL

I recently won the most adorable stamp & thin cut die set from my CTMH consultant.  That adorable flamingo is what inspired me to create the sketch, then the sketch inspired me to make this card! That sounds like I'm going in circles LOL  I used some Festive Berries and Mustard Seed Distress Oxides with a blending brush and stencil on some white cardstock and cut the tag from that.  With some scraps from my scrap bin....and some Spectrum Noir Triblend markers with my stamps....I'm so pleased with the end result!

I'm so excited to be creating sketches for Sketch N Scrap!  My first layout sketch will be revealed on the 15th, so I hope to see you back then and for all of our sketch challenges this month!

Sketch N Scrap Layout Challenge #201

Hi everyone! Thanks for coming by today to check out the latest sketch up on the Sketch N Scrap blog today. It's Sketch #201, designed by sketch artist Heather Hall:

And here is my take on it:

For this layout I used a photo taken at Ellis Island with the Manhattan skyline in the background on our family vacation in 2017.  I used some fabulous chipboard and papers from Vicki Boutin's Let's Wander line (LOVE it!!)  I had the hardest time picking out a background paper to use, so I decided to use one of Vicki's foundation papers and watercolor my own!  I used several different shades of Distress Oxides and a large brush to put some neutral brushstrokes on the background.  

I also added some texture with some tinted texture paste and machine stitching:

I hope you are as inspired to create with this sketch as I was, and that you show us what you can do with it at Sketch N Scrap! Hope to see you there!