December Birthday

Hello friends!  So happy that you joined me today.  I hope that those of you here in the US had a nice holiday weekend. 

As promised, Tuesday Morning Sketches has a great sketch for you today and a great sponsor.  Our very own Debbie brought you this fun sketch and she's sponsoring, too.

Here's the sketch:

 And she's giving a Spellbinders M-Bossabilities "Santa's Sleigh" Embossing Folder.

I have all the Christmas cards I need so I used this week's sketch to make a birthday card. I have two birthdays (same day) in December. One is male and one female. The girly-girl one is never a problem, but I am always stumped for male cards -- especially the older they get.

I took two sheets of companion papers, a stripe and a solid, and used that for my background. I'm not great at tearing and ended up tearing it the wrong way; consequently, the wonky tear line. In order to conceal some of the wonkiness, I inked the torn edge with Tim Holtz Vintage Photo distressed ink. I then created a sentiment using the computer and cut it out with a Spellbinder nestling labels die. I inked the edges of the cut-out with the distressed ink. Lastly, I added three green buttons to the bottom right corner of the card.

The inside (which I should have photographed and shared with you) is a background of he solid green paper with the sentiment cut out using a larger size of the same nesting dies. I inked the edges of the cut sentiment. I then added punched corner pieces from the striped paper to the four corners.

It actually turned out right well, and will do nicely for the 23 years old young man for whom it is intended.

This is a quick and easy sketch to use. However, it can be elegant, fun or funky depending on the two papers that you use for your background and the image or sentiment you use for the front. I opted against using an image because I didn't want the card to lean towards silly or juvenile. Using the words only kept it more mature (in my opinion).

I hope you will join us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches. We realize the holidays are fast approaching so many of you are busy. We understand. However, you will want to save our wonderful sketches so you'll have inspiration for all your future card needs.

Have a great week!

Let Us Adore Him

Good Morning friends! Thank you so much for joining me again. This is Thanksgiving week here in the U.S. and I know many of you may be preparing for the holiday by traveling or by having family and friends at your house.  We are going to have a small gathering this year, but we will be no less thankful for all the blessing that have been bestowed upon us.
This week's sketch is inspired by Jessi.  It's pretty easy, which makes it a good one for those with busy schedules.  It is also very classic in that it is beautiful kept simple (as in the sketch) or with lovely embellishments.
Here's the sketch:

 Our sponsor is DRS Designs Stamps.  You're all familiar with DRS Designs as they generously sponsor us several times in the year.

I used a sand colored card base with a layer of green and a piece of lovely burgundy and sand designer paper (from my stash). I also used a nativity clip art that I've had for quite a long time and have no designer name associated with it on my hard drive. It is a beautiful rendering of the Holy family. The words "Merry Christmas" are from DRS Design as is the "Adore Him Greeting."  I really like them both, but I especially like the font used for the Adore Him sentiment.

If you have a few free minutes his week, we would love for you to join in our challenge at the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog. If you can't join us, then have a wonderful week and to my fellow Americans, have a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

Little Shepherd Boy

Happy Tuesday morning everyone. I'm running a little late (again), but at least it is still Tuesday (smile). This week, at Tuesday Morning Sketches, we are being sponsored by All Dressed Up stamps who will provide two images of the winner's choice. Wendy has some really cute images, and she also sponsors two challenges per month of her own which require using her stamps, so she offers free stamps on her web site. Very generous lady.

Here is this week's sketch for you to use:

I used Core'dinations card for the base, and the designer papers are from American Crafts. I rounded the corners of the base card and again to the first layer of DP. I cut the scalloped rectangle using a Spellbinder die and then cut my image piece down to fit. I colored the image with Copic markers after printing it off on Neenah white card. I then cut the double fishtail banner from a piece of the base card and I cut the words "Merry Christmas" from a piece of left over paper from another card.

 We are getting into the holiday season, so we understand that time is getting more limited for many. However, we appreciate the continued support at Tuesday Morning Sketches from so many of you. The participation cards have been beautiful. Thanks to all of you, and to those of you who continue to follow me here on my personal blog.

Mary Engelbreit Christmas

Good morning. It is I, the perpetually late member of the Tuesday Morning Sketches deign team, finally getting my post up. This week our sketch was created by our own Debbie Foster, with our own Patti providing the prize!

Here is the blank sketch:

 This sketch works much better if one has a wider ribbon for the top, but since I didn't have any, I had to go with what I had. It didn't turn out too bad, though, in my opinion. Just a few simple steps, and you have a nice looking card!

1) Pick your base - mine is green card.

2) Pick a DP and cut to size.

3) Adhere wide ribbon to background DP and gather it off center.  Adhere background to card base.

4) Attach an embellishment, image or sentiment with a thinner ribbon. Walla! Pretty card.

My background paper is from a packet of Christmas papers I purchased from Michael's Crafts. The circle is by Mary Engelbreit. It is on a green glittery circle an popped up with a foam dot. The green ribbon is from my stash.

Stop by the Tuesday Morning Blog and have a look at the beautiful cards the other DT members have made. You are really going to like this sketch once you see how versatile it is. Quick, easy and lovely -- good combinations for any occasion!

Christmas Poinsettia

I really am getting bad about remembering to write my post for you all. What can I say? I'm just getting quite addle lately!

This week's lovely sketch is by Melissa, and our sponsor is Debbie -- keeping it all in the family again this week (smile). Here is the sketch:

Oh, and here is the fantastic prize:

I really liked this sketch. It worked up really nicely. The music background DP is from a pad by The Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby's brand), and the two strips are paper from the Christmas Collection by Raspberry Road Designs (an UK company). The green card used for the matting is from my stash.

After matting and adhering the strips, I cut two circles (using Spellbinder circle dies), one in a piece of gold scrap that was on my desk and one in green. The poinsettia is from a packet of dimensional die cuts by K&Company.  It is layered and adhered with a foam dot. You cannot tell from the photo, but three of the leaves are glittered.  The three green gems at the top right are by Recollections.

Stop over at the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog and see the beautiful cards the rest of the team have created. Also, check us out on Facebook. 

Happy Holly-days

Hello friends. Time for another Tuesday Morning Sketches card. Some of you might have noticed that I only post about once a week -- for my TMS DT card. I've not been doing as much crafting for about the past six months. Just haven't had time with work and family to keep up with design teams or personal crafting. Hope you have stuck around, though, to see the wonderful sketches we share every Tuesday. They really are a boon for creating quick but lovely cards, and this week's is no exception. Melissa has provided a classic sketch that can be fancy or fun! Here it is:

I am providing the prize this week. Hope it will interest you in creating a card and sharing it with us on the TMS blog. Here is a picture of what you have a chance to win:

Stop by the blog and see the beautiful cards the DT have made to inspire you. We are also introducing a new (very talented and creative) DT member. I know you are going to love Janice's work!

Day for Daisies Christmas Cutie

Hi everyone! Another Tuesday, and we have a really great sketch for you. We also have one of my favorite designers as our sponsor. A Day for Daisies is our fab sponsor, so I know you all are going to want to join in for a chance to win some of their darling images (wish I could participate!!).

Here is our sketch:

Once again, I have turned the sketch vertically to better accommodate my sweet image. I have used Christmas Pixy One. I have printed it onto Neenah White card and colored it with my Copic markers.

I was fortunate that I found two pieces of scrap DP that I'd used for previous cards, so the only "whole" piece I used was the green card that I cut and folded for the base. The sentiment is from a new set by "My Sentiments Exactly" that I purchased this weekend from Hobby Lobby. The ink I used is by Close to My Heart.

Stop by the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog and see the cute ADFD images the other DT have used to make their wonderful samples for this week. Also, have you seen our FaceBook page? If you haven't, you might want to check us out. If you join, you will actually get to see the weekly sketch a day early -- gives you a nice head start!
 

Late Again

I am going to have to change my name to "Late Again" as that seems to be me all the time. I keep telling myself that I am going to be organized and set my blog post up ahead of time (like I used to do), but it doesn't seem to happen. Mia Culpa!

This week our sponsor is Bugaboo Digi Stamps. Everyone loves their adorable whimsical images, so I know you are going to want to enter this week's challenge for an opportunity to possibly win SEVEN (yes, I said 7) digies from Bugaboo. This is a fab prize.

So here is the sketch you need to use:

I have used the adorable Christmas Mouse Candy Cane for my card.  I printed it on Neenah ultra white card and colored it with Copic markers. I used white card for the base, and was happy to be able to use a piece of scrap DP for the back piece. I cut a piece of scrap olive green (matches the stripe in the background) and then my image using Spellbinder nesting dies. I placed my ribbon between the matting and the image so as not to cover up any of my Miss Mouse.

I have been spending spare time putting sentiments inside the Christmas cards I've managed to thus far make. Last year I got terribly behind and since a lot of the cards were for DT projects, I had not "finished" them at the time I created them. Alas, I ended up not being able to use many of them because I didn't have time to go back and insert the sentiment. I'm determined not to let that happen this year (smile). All righty then, with that little tidbit, I'll leave you. Go get crafty and enter this week's Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge!

Santa and Packages

Hello everyone. It is Tuesday again, so time for another wonderful Tuesday Morning Sketches sketch. We have a really fun sketch for you that is so open for interpretation - talk about a blank canvas!

Our sponsor this week is our very own Patti and she's offering a fun prize.  What does that mean?  The winner will receive a gift card from Hobby Lobby and a gift card from Starbucks! So you can sip, snack and craft.

Here is our great sketch:

I have turned the sketch sideways for my card. The image is from Nitwit (a wonderful company out of the UK) which I printed off. I used a white card base, and the DP is from American Crafts. The ribbon is a spool that my daughter picked up at an after Christmas clearance last year, and the gold package is from my stash (manufacturer name no longer known). I used the little package (popped up with foam) in place of the button.

As always, the DT have done a wonderful job with the weekly sketch and their creations can be seen on the TMS Blog.

Pink & Main

We have a fun sketch for you this week, and a great sponsor! 

Joining us this week is Pink and Main and the prize - $15 store credit.  Michelle just released last week so adorable Christmas stamps and dies.  They are a must have!

 

Here is the sketch we are using this week:

I worked every day last week and then my family got together on Saturday for my birthday. Continued my birthday weekend though Monday (out of town), so didn't have a lot of time for crafting. I found the pre-colored picture of a Penny Black stamp (that I actually own), so used it for my card. 

Started with a white base, layered green card and then used an American Craft print for the two top pieces. I cut the image with Spellbinder circle die and then matted it with a piece of the green cut with the Spellbinder scalloped circle die. I stamped the sentiment (one of my own) with Garden Green ink from Stampin Up. The three holly pieces are from Recollections. They are a combination of glitter leaves and gem berries which add just a tiny bit of glitz to my little card.

Please join us again this week at Tuesday Morning Blog and enter to win the wonderful gift certificate from Pink & Main.

FiFi Cupcake

Good Morning!  Thank you so much for stopping by.  This week's sketch for Tuesday Morning Sketches is brought to us by Debbie.  It is a clean, classic composition that will fit for any occasion. It has some basic elements for a perfect jumping off point for you cards.  You are going to make this one a go to sketch. (I say that about a lot of our sketches, don't I? But it is true because the DT are seasoned card makers who know what makes for a lovely card.)
Our sponsor this week is Crafty Sentiments - the prize is 3 digis of the winner's choice.

Here's the sketch we're using:

I have used an adorable little Crafty Sentiments image called Fifi Cupcake.

After coloring my image with Copic markers, I created a card base with pink card (it is textured and is either DCWV or Bazzill brand - I was fortunate to have a large enough piece in my scrap bag so I did not have to cut into a new piece so that is why I cannot confirm the brand for you). The background DP is also a piece from my scrap bag but I do remember that it came from an older K&Company paper pad. We actually could call this a "scrappy card" in that I've used scraps for most of the elements. The ribbon is a sheer pink. I have adhered it across the middle strip as well as made the bow from it. I've used a Spellbinder die set to cut out the image and the green mat (also from scraps). The gems are from a pack by Recollections.

Stop by the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog and have a look at the other inspiration pieces the DT have created this week. Then, join in the challenge. (This sketch would work quite nicely for Christmas cards -- a lovely composition without a lot of bulk -- so if you have started your cards for this year, keep that in mind!)

 

Candy Cane Christmas

Hello friends!   I was super excited to have a 3 days weekend. It has been a long time since I've actually not had to work either on Friday or Saturday. In addition to the above card for this week's Tuesday Morning Sketches DT sample, I got to try my hand at a new media (parchment) which I have been wanting to try to do for about 20 years. It is not as easy as it seems because there are various techniques used to get the beautiful and classic look of parchment crafting. I still need practice, practice, practice, but know I'm going to enjoy the journey.

This week Tuesday Morning Sketches is sponsored by one of our favorite returning sponsors, DRS Designs Stamps. The prize is a $10 voucher towards one (or more) of their deeply etched red rubber stamps.

Here's the sketch we are using this week:

I used the stamp, Candy Canes, and colored it with Copic Markers. My card base is red card, and the DP come from a 12x12" pad called "The Colors of Memories" by American Crafts. After coloring the image, I was not totally happy with the color of the ribbon. (I used the three colors that were suggested at a class I took, but if anyone knows a combination for a pretty gold, please let me know.) I added a bit of clear Wink of Stella to the ribbon and also to the red Poinsettia leaves for a festive sparkle. The flowers pieces are from a We R Memory Makers kit that I've had for a number of years.

We'd love for you to stop by the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog and have a look at the beautiful cards the DT have made for your inspiration this week. Then, of course, we would LUV for you to join in this week's challenge. 

Fall is in the Air

Good Morning!  Thank you so much for joining me this week.  Tuesday Morning Sketches has a really fun sketch for you that is a bit challenging!  Today's sketch is by Patti, and we really would like to see what you do with this sketch.

Our sponsor this week is actually two sponsors and not only is there 1 prize, there are 3!  First up we have a very nice lady that we all know and love.... Yes, former TMS DT member Grandma Bonnie has her own line of digital papers!  She has created some BEAUTIFUL packets which are so easy to print off and to use.

Bonnie's store is within the Miss Daisy Stamps shop, who is also sponsoring our challenge.

Hi! Please visit Miss Daisy Stamps for fun and creativity featuring exclusive digital stamp collections, exclusive digital paper collections from We Are 3© and custom watermarks. The papers sponsored in this challenge are from We Are 3©, with the images from Miss Daisy's collection, all available at Miss Daisy Stamps. We welcome the opportunity to create with you. Happy Stamping! Love, Miss Daisy

SHOP Miss Daisy Stamps                                                                                                                            WE ARE 3© SHOP We Are 3 Shop 

LIKE Miss Daisy Stamps Facebook Page for a free Thank You gift  

JOIN Miss Daisy Stamps Create & Share Facebook Group 

JOIN We Are 3© Digital Paper Facebook Group

Prizes:

First prize - 1 FREE digi of winner's choice from Miss Daisy's Collection PLUS 1 FREE

product from We Are 3© Shop

Second - 1 FREE digi of winner's choice from Miss Daisy's Collection

Third - 1 FREE digi of winner's choice from Miss Daisy's Collection

Here's the sketch...

The beautiful image of the Autumn Wagon by Kathryne was colored with Copic markers on X-press It brand card. I used an orange card for the base and used Bonnie's lovely "We Are 3" digital papers  called "Just Autumn Collection" for the background and the punched leaves. In order for the leaves to show up against the background, I punched squares from the scrap orange card and adhered the leaves to the squares. I matted the image with the orange card, also.

I loved all the elements of this card (the sketch, the digital papers and the image), but I found it difficult and challenging to combine the three. While the DT card I created is acceptable, I created a second card which I like better and which shows off the digital paper a little better. Here is my second card:

Hope you will give this week's sketch a try and share your creation with us at Tuesday Morning Sketches.

Sketch #366

Good Morning friends!  Thank you for joining me for another fun Tuesday Morning sketch.  This week's sketch is from Debbie and it has a lot of fun elements.  This is a party card!  But, as with all our sketches, shapes and elements do not have to be taken literally.

Our challenge is sponsored by Digital Delights by Looby Lou.  The prize are some fun digis!

Here's the sketch....

 

 

I have used Mermaid Samantha  for my card. Isn't she cute? I printed her onto Cryogen paper because I wanted the extra little sparkle that Cryogen has to mimic more of the under-water sheen. I colored her with Copic markers. The base card is aqua card and the DP is from a Recollections 12x12" pad. The green used for the banner, waves and sea-weed is from my scrap bag. It is textured, so I'm thinking it is either DCWV or Bazzill. The twine I used is white with a silver thread running through it -- very pretty although the photo doesn't show it well. The dies are by Magnolia.

Please visit the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog and have a look at the beautiful cards that the DT have put together to inspire you. We are fortunate to have Digital Delights sponsoring us this week. They have some really, really, really cute images (I know because I have a bunch - grin)!

TMS # 365

Good Morning friends!  Thank you so much for joining me again this week.  This week's sketch is a fun one and a great way to use up some of those scraps that we hate to throw away.

Our challenge is sponsored by Lacy Sunshine.  Lacy Sunshine is a sweet little digi shop with some fantastic images for the coloring enthusiast.  You will love their images!  The randomly drawn winner will get 3 digi stamps of their choice.

The Lacy Sunshine image that I've used is called Sugi Christmas Angel. After coloring most of it with Copic markers, I pieced the dress with red dotty DP. I turned my card vertical in order for my over-sized image to fit. I embossed the blue background with a snowflake embossing folder, and I used purchased snowflake die cuts. In order for the image to fit over the raised snowflakes, I used pop up tape to adhere the image to the card.

So here's the sketch we'll be using:

Sweet Angel Marci

Hello fellow crafters! It is another Tuesday, and we have another wonderful sketch for you over at Tuesday Morning Sketches (in my case, we are going to have to start calling it Tuesday Afternoon Sketches - grin). Anyway, our wonderful leader, Melissa, is this week's sponsor and because it is her birthday week, she is going to give some lucky person a nice selection of birthday items (don't we all always need to make birthday items??).

Here is this week's sketch:

Melissa also designed this week's sketch. It is a nice, clean, classic design that I know you will be putting into your "go to" file. It is definitely in mine!

I am already thinking Christmas and have started making Christmas cards for this year. This one uses a La La Land Marci image that I actually colored (confession time) last year. I liked this image so much that I ended up coloring about a half dozen in different colors. This one has Star Dust Stickles on the halo, the wings, the collar, sleeve cuffs and dress bottom (all the areas that appear white in the photo). It makes for a lovely sparkle to this sweet little angel. The rest is colored using Copic markers.

The designer paper is from a 12x12" Christmas pad by American Crafts. The card base is green card and the red scalloped oval (cut with Spellbinder die) is red card. Marci was fussy cut and glued to the oval. The sentiment came from ???. Yup, I can't remember where it came from. It was just in my stash and fit perfectly. I used pop dots on the back to give the sentiment a little lift.

I am keeping my Christmas cards relatively "flat" this year in order to keep the postage fees down. It has been a challenge to make lovely cards without the bulk of flowers, ribbon bows, etc. I definitely think this week's sketch works quite well in providing a good looking card without the bulk. 

Stop by the TMS Blog and have a look at what the rest of the DT have created for you this week. We would love to have you join in this week's challenge. In the mean time,

Happy Crafting and have a blessed week!

Country Cutie

Tuesday Morning Sketches #363

Good Morning!  (Actually it is afternoon as I am typing this. Once again I am running behind)  This week's beauty is brought to you by Jessi.  More basic elements with so much possibility.

Our sponsor this week is Craftin Desert Divas!  Such adorable images!  Tara is offering a couple of digi stamps to the randomly drawn winner.

Here's the sketch....

Sorry my photo isn't so great this week. The card is actually quite adorable (if I say so myself).

I do hope you will join us this week. Stop by the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog and see what the rest of the DT have made this week. Then create your own card to enter. Take care and happy crafting.

A Day for Flowers

This week, one of my favorite stamp designers is sponsoring our weekly sketch challenge. A Day for Daisies (and her sister, Sami Stamps) have been favorites of mine for quite a long time. First, though, let me share the wonderful sketch with you:

Isn't that a FAB sketch? Melissa has provided us with a real classic with this one.

As I said, ADFD has been a favorite of mine since I started using digital stamps. The designer's images cover a wonderful range from floral to animals to charming children and fairies. The one I have used is one from my stash, and I did not realize (until I went to find it on her store site) that it evidently is discontinued. This one was called Mother's Day Flowers. There are similar images, though, so if you like it, take a look at the others. I'm sure you will find one that will suit your liking.

I colored my image with Copic markers after printing it on X-Press Brand card. The blue card base is from a package of colored card weigh from Michael's Crafts. The DP is from a pad that I've used quite a bit (love the combination of colors) by K&Company. The sentiment is from a set  of Ranger clear stamps. The butterfly is punched with a Martha Stewart punch from a piece of paper in my scrap bin, and the rhinestones are from Recollections.

Please join us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches. We always love seeing what our wonderful friends and followers create. 

Laugh

Hello TMS friends!  Welcome to another fun sketch challenge.  Our sketch this week is from Debbie and it's full of great elements!
Our sponsor this week is Di's Digis.  The prize is a $12 shopping voucher.

Here's the sketch:....

 

 

While I didn't get one of Di's adorable images this week, please take a look at her web store. She has some really cute designs. 

 

I have used a Mo Manning image colored with Copic markers. The papers are from an 8x8 DCWV pad. I've used a white card base, red card for matting and the DP from DCWV. The little flower is from Wild Orchid Crafts. The sentiment is a wooden cutout from a pack of wooden words that I got from Michael's Crafts.

 

Please join us this week and use Debbie's wonderful sketch to create a card of your own then post it to the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog.  

 

Have a great week, and happy crafting!

Here Kitty Kitty

TMS #360

Good Morning friends and followers!  Thank you so much for joining me for another Tuesday Morning sketch challenge.  This sketch is by Jessi and it's so much fun!  Can you just see all the possibilities? If not, then you are going to want to stop by the blog and see what the DT have done with it.

We're sponsored by one of TMS' favorite sponsors - Sami Stamps.  Samantha, the owner creates her own lovely digital images - each have a personality of their very own.  You will surely find something you like in her Etsy shop.


Here's the sketch...

 For my card today, I used the adorable image called Tower of Whiskers.

 I did not originally intend for this card to be so muted and monochromatic, but it ended up that way. I think I would prefer a little more color, but the less colorful papers make the adorable image POP! Having been on Sami's DT at one time (before time constraints forced me to have to step down), I know that Sami likes kitty images as much as I like Kitties! I personally live with a gray and white, a tan and brown, a calico and a solid black -- a wide variety -- and while I didn't try matching my own kitties in the image, I did try for a wide variety.

I used the aqua card weight for my base card, and laid a piece of gray DP from a Recollections pad on top. For the slightly tilted piece, I used a wide dotty white and aqua ribbon. I inked around the image piece with Color Box aqua and adhered it to the card with pop dots so that it fit up over the ribbon. Lastly, instead of buttons (as in the sketch), I used a sticker I found in my stash. I mounted the sticker onto a scrap piece of the base card and punched it out because the sticker was transparent, and I didn't want the background to show through it. I adhered the circle with adhesive on one side and a pop dot on the other to make it level with the image.

We hope you've been enjoying the new sketches that we provide each week. We are having lots of fun with them ourselves. Also, we love seeing the entries each week using the sketches, so consider playing along with us. You may just be a lucky winner! 

Sweet Ribbon and Button Girl

Tuesday Morning Sketches #359

Good Morning you wonderful friends and followers!  I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and is feeling refreshed and ready to join TMS for another fun sketch.  The family and I celebrated the US Independence day quietly as the 100 degree temps just were not inviting for picnics or fireworks. It was nice to just be able to relax, though, with no one having to rush off to work!

This week's sketch is brought to us by Patti.  This one will give you the opportunity to bring out some stashed embellishments or showcase some beautiful patterned paper.

We're sponsored by Jennifer Tomasic, CTMH demonstrator.  She'll be offering this stamp set to the randomly drawn winner.

Living in Pictures

Here is the super sketch:

Have fun with this sketch and then hop on over to the Tuesday Morning Sketches Blog and show us what you've done. We always love seeing how our friends interpret the sketches that we create and use.