Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #89

I stepped out of my box a bit on this card as there is hardly any white on it.  It's taking some getting used to all the colour on the card, but I think I'm liking it as the sentiment panel just pops :)  That's what I love about this hobby, always something new to try, something to stretch yourself with, and something to delve into if you find it to your liking.

I used some My Mind's Eye Stella and Rose paper, the Curvy Bookplate die from Verve as it was the perfect size for this wonderful sentiment from Verve, and my MFT butterfly die which was wanting to come out and play :)  Hopefully I have redeemed myself from last week's butt kicking colour challenge LOL!

The rest of the Design Team has some fabulous cards for your inspiration.

Cindy Kirsty Makeesha Renée Brandi Carrie Helen Ilina Lee-Anne Marisa

Just a reminder that each week Keesh will select a winner and an honorable mention and post their cards on the Inkspirations Challenge blog.  We'd love to see your card posted as a winner, all you have to do is play along.



What's In It?
Stamps: Fabulous You and Tag Time (Verve)
Paper: Stella and Rose (MY  Mind's Eye), More Mustard and Almost Navy (SU), Cream Linen
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Black
Accessories: Curvy Bookplate Die (Verve), 5/8" Blue Satin Ribbon, Butterfly Die (MFT), Button, Glue Dot, Half Pearls, Bling, Dimensionals

Diagonal Stripes Oh My!

This sketch threw me for a loop!  I hummed and hawed and hummed some more and then just decided to jump in and go with whatever came out LOL!

Since my maple leaf die was still out, I used it once again...sorry!  I pulled out some fall colours and added a pop of colour with the dark brown leaf.  Nothing too fancy and not totally sold on it, but the sketch is done and it works for now :)

This month's four sketches are now done so maybe the Verve fairy will be nice and I'll win some free Verve - a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving as up here in Canada we will be celebrating next weekend.  This also qualifies for the Dolce Stamps and challenge to make a fall themed card.

Enjoy your day and I'll be back tomorrow with the newest Inkspirations challenge.

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Turning a New Leaf (PTI),Dream Big (Verve)
Paper: Dots and Stipes (Echo Park), Creamy Caramel, Early Espresso
Ink: Garden Green, VersaMark
Accessories:Maple Leaf Die (PTI), Tagged Rectangle Die (Verve), Half Pearls, Crimper, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, 1/4" Green Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals

Diva Dare A La Andrea

 

I decided to CASE another Diva :)   Andrea is a blogging buddy of mine with a fabulous wit and gorgeous card making style.  Her soft colour palette and use of layers and punches are amazing.  So, what did I do?  I chose this card which isn't her signature style!  It had fewer layers and no shabby/vintage goodness on it...go figure?!  I guess you could say I wimped out...but I did love the colour combo and the interesting layout.   Here is her card.

As you can see, I basically straight out cased Andrea's card with a few substitutions:  French Script in the background, Echo Park Dots and Stripes DP for the red panel, different punches and dies, changed the sentiment and punched out some corrugated hearts using a Starbucks sleeve instead of the heart buttons.  I also ironed my seam binding so the ribbon texture would match the clean lines of the layout (crinkled ribbon just didn't cut it). 

I had great fun making this card - thanks, for the inspiration my friend  :)  Next time, when I have a bit more time on my hands, I will case a shabby/vintage card of yours, promise!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Celebration of Thanks (Verve), French Script (SU)
Paper: Sahara Sand, Black, Cream Linen, Dots and Stripes (Echo Park) 
Ink: Black
Accessories: Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, From the Heart Dies Set (Verve), Martha Stewart Deco Fans Punches, Seam Binding, Buttons, Twine, Half Pearls, Dimensionals

More Maple Leaves

  

I was able to embrace the skewed panel on this sketch quite easily as there was only one :)  Could I actually be okay with these now....oh my!!!   I think I have redeemed myself with this card after my last post....gotta show the good the bad and the ugly sometimes :)  

When I saw the tag, a maple leaf came to mind so I jumped at the chance to make another Fall card using my maple leaf die :)   Just can't put these PTI dies and matching stamp set down.  I love leaf images and these dies are amazing so this is the season to to have them "fall" onto my cards LOL!

Loved this DP I found at Michael's and combined it with some Bo Bunny polka dots.  The ribbon is "a la Diva Maureen", and then I went a little button crazy in my attempt to add a bit of "oomph" and balance to the card.

High school traumas are still occuring for my daughter...her French class was collapsed (too many scheduled apparently?!) so she and the rest of her class had to get their class schedules changed....she's been stood up for lunch, and worst of all her closest friend from elementary school, who she was supposed to have lunch with on her birthday, didn't show up.  Ended up that she was let out of class late and after waiting 10 minutes for her my daughter left the cafeteria so they missed each other.  Many tears and talks later, I think we have her put back together.   Onward and upward we go!



What's In It?
Stamps: Thank ful Accents (Verve), Leaf Prints (PTI)
Paper:Bo Bunny DP, Michael's DP, Early Espresso, Kraft, Cream Linen, Old Olive
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive
Accessories:Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, Leaf Die (PTI), Crimper, SU Border Punch, Green and White Twine, 5/8" Brown Polka Dotted Ribbon, Buttons, Twine, Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Inkspirations Colour Challenge #88

These were some bright colours and it took me a bit of thinking to put them together as they are far from my normal selection, but then that's why it's called a challenge, right?!  A kick in the butt keeps you on your toes, or in my case, leaves a bruise LOL! 

Since my mojo was awol, I opted to go CAS in the hopes I could make it work.  I used a CPS sketch from a few weeks ago as it was perfect for a bit of colour against a lot of white.  Pulled out this cute Studio G set, and my Twinkling H2O colouring wasn't all that swift....butt still being kicked LOL!  I bow in the general direction of this colour combo - it beat me fair and square!  Next week will I'll do better, promise :)

Think it's time to move on to the rest of the Design Team for some fabulous inspiration.

Cindy Kirsty Makeesha Renée Brandi Carrie Helen Ilina Lee-Anne Marisa

Each week Keesh will select a winner and an honorable mention and post their cards on the Inkspirations Challenge blog.  We'd love to see your card posted as a winner.

Have a great weekend!




What's In It?
Stamps: Studio G
Paper: Melon Mambo, Peach Parfait, Blue, Black
Ink: Black
Accessories: Black Ribbon, Button, Glue Dot, Twinkling H2Os, $1.50 Heart Punch from Michael's, Dimensionals

Dare To Case A Diva

 Bi

This is my card for Verve's September Diva Dare to CASE A Diva.  I knew exactly who I wanted to case:  fellow BC resident and blog buddy Maureen - waving wildly to you Moe :)   We met at a Verve release party, started blogging about the same time and she has been a wonderful blog buddy for over two years now.  Though we live in the same province (about 4 hours apart) we have never actually met.  You see, she has a nasty habit of being out of town when I drive through her home town....wink, wink ;)  

This summer, if I would have had the address of the new house they are building, I would have gone up there and nailed a "sorry I missed you" card to the framing in her craft room to let her know I was there and she wasn't in.  Not to mention laying claim to being her first craft room "guest" LOL!  But alas, I didn't think it through soon enough to pull it off -- darn -- as it would would have been waaaay too much fun to have done it :)  Maybe next time I drive through....

Sorry, I digress....on to the card.  I knew exactly which card I was going to case.  It was this beauty she posted a few days ago.

 

I loved all the white space and the layout.  I switched out the DP, replaced the flower with a butterfly, used Labels 15 for the top shape, and changed the sentiment.  Such a fun card to make.  Thanks for the inspiration, Moe (((hugs))).

 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Making A Statement and Notebook Plain Jane (Verve)
Paper: Early Espresso, Real red, Kraft, Lime Twist (MME)
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Labels 15, Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, Flutterby Die (A Cut Above by Verve) 5/8" Red Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Half Pearls, Flower Punches, Dimensionals

Inkspirations Sketch Challenge #87

 
I used this week's sketch to make a card for a friend who had some surgery to let her know my thoughts and prayers are with her.  I now the sentiment isn't a get well one, but I just had to use it as it went with the bird!

I combined it with last week's Colour Q (yes, I'm late again) since MME's Lime Twist papers have these colours.  In the end, I only used one piece of DP as the other combos detracted from the bird - at least that is what I'm telling myself as I still get frazzled trying to use multiple DPs on a card.  One day I hope to look back and say, "why did I ever have an issue with multiple DPs on a card", but for now, I'm still a newbie LOL.

I'm glad to say we have made it through our first full week of school and all is good - yeah!!  Even better, I have switched to my "school schedule"  with my wake up times, taking kids to practices, piano lesson, soccer game etc. without any mishaps.

The rest of the Design Team has some fabulous cards for your inspiration.

Cindy Kirsty Makeesha Renée Brandi Carrie Helen Ilina Lee-Anne Marisa

Just a reminder that each week Keesh will select a winner and an honorable mention and post their cards on the Inkspirations Challenge blog.  We'd love to see your card posted as a winner, all you have to do is play along.



What's In It?
Stamps: Accent Notes (Verve)
Paper:Lime Twist DP (My Mind's Eye), Turquoise, Certainly Celery, Orchid Opulence, Black
Ink: Black
Accessories:SU Bird and Scalloped Border Punch, Distressed Stripes EF, Circle Nesties, Half Pearls, 1" Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Twine, Dimensionals

Kioshi Thank You

Loved the sketch, but the tags gave me grief so I subbed in a bow as I just couldn't make tags work.  Now that I'm looking at my card, I realized I also ran my ribbon behind the circle instead of over it...that will teach me not to double check the sketch while making the card.  Hoping my issues fall under artistic license versus not following the sketch!

I loooove this Kioshi paper by Basic Grey which I found on clearance at an LSS.  May have to go back for a few more sheets as it is wonderful with brown, blue and moss.  I actually messed up when I used this paper too as I was supposed to  have the back side of this pattern on the smaller panel but accidentally glued it down on the wrong side!  It was one of those card making days, I tell you!   Ever have those?!  Good thing is the highlight in all this is the fact I had fun playing with my Verve stamps and nothing could mess that part up :) 

Off to see if I have better luck with the rest of my day's duties LOL!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Wonderful You (Verve)
Paper: Basic Grey Kioshi, Early Espresso, Mellow  Moss, So Saffron, Blue
Ink: Black, VersaMark
Accessories: Circle and Scalloped Circle Nesties, Flutter By and Wishing You Dies (Verve), 5/8" Brown Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

A Verve Thank You

 This sketch made me go "hmmm"....when I first saw it.  Took a few days to wrap my mind around it and finally decided to go fall back on my flower crutch.  And if it's going to be a flower, chances are it will be a Verve flower at that :)  So...out came Verve's Dream Big set and my scissors (matching dies for this set would be reeeeally nice....hint, hint Julee LOL!).

I combined the sketch with an older CR84FN challenge of kraft, yellow and a neutral, such a great colour combo, even if I used two neutrals instead of just one LOL! Verve's Curvy Bookplate die was a given as it is the one used in the sketch and I just love it.  A  little poetic license with the top and bottom panels by using the flowers in lieu of the circles and leaves in lieu of the bows, and then back to the sketch for the center panel so the Verve police won't get me ;)  Sorry about the dark picture, was too late in the afternoon to take a good shot.

My daughter has settled into a nice routine at school after the trauma of the first few days last week (yeah!!).  She is armed with a new cell phone (birthday present a few weeks early) so she can text/call me and/or friends when/if she needs to, so I think she will be just fine.  I got a new phone as well so I'm can now text and I must say, this Lite Smart phone as it's called is amazing!  Best part is I got Angry Birds loaded on it at the store and it is great incentive for the kids to do their chores and homework because after they are done they can play it LOL!

Off to work on week two's sketch.   Enjoy your day :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Dream Big (Verve)
Paper:  Kraft, So Saffron
Ink:  Black, More Mustard, Summer Sun
Accessories:  Curvy Bookplate Die (A Cut Above Dies by Verve), Circle Nesties, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Black Ribbon, Dimensionals

Praying For You

 

 
I used this month's Sketch For You To Try to make a card for this month's Verve Diva Dare - Sending Some Sunshine and it also qualifies for this week's Crazy 4 Challenges colour challenge.

The Diva Dare is to make a card and send it to someone who could use some cheering up.  I made this card for the Chairman of our church's Board who is battling melanoma.  He is an amazing man, who brings sunshine to many other people and could now use some sunshine himself :)

Jumped at the excuse to use my PTI leaf dies again (you may get sick of them before Fall is over!!) and paired them with some SEI  paper.  I love fall colours and am very much looking forward to working with them over the next few months :)   I embossed the circle with Distressed Stripes as it reminds me of wood grain and gleefully used the maple leaf die - it's a Canadian thing LOL!

My daughter had a MUCH better day yesterday and today after her very rough first day in High School.  After school today she told me she could almost say she had a "fun" day.  Nothing like going through emotional whip lash LOL!  A huge thank you to all of you for your comments, encouragement and e-mails asking me how she was making out.  Your care and concern touched me deeply (((hugs))).  Have a great day and thanks for being wonderful friends and followers! 

 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Leaf Prints (PTI), Faithful Phrases (Verve)
Paper:    (SEI), Early Espresso and More Mustard (SU), Cream, Tan
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Creamy Caramel (SU)
Accessories: Circle Nesties, Distressed Stripes EF, Leaf Dies (PTI), Charming Banner Dies (A Cut Above by VERVE), Crimper, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Inkspirations Colour Challenge #86

After a two week hiatus from stamping and a rather stressful first few days for my daughter as she started high school, which required many talks, encouragement, hugs, sitting through tears etc.,  it took a bit of doing to get my mojo going for this week's card...  I loved the colour combination, but just couldn't get a layout that worked for me until I found this Waltzingmouse Sketch.

I decided to put an owl in the circle element so out came my SU owl punch.  Love this little guy and gave him an embossed tummy for some extra dimension :) 

The rest of the Design Team has some fabulous cards for your inspiration.

Cindy Kirsty Makeesha Renée Brandi Carrie Helen Ilina Lee-Anne Marisa

Each week Keesh will select a winner and an honorable mention and post their cards on the Inkspirations Challenge blog.  We'd love to see your card posted as a winner.

I'll be working for hubby for the rest of the month, which means stamping time becomes very scarce and posts will be hit and miss other than every Friday's Inkspiration challenge card.  Thanks for stopping by, and have a fabulous weekend :)






What's In It?
Paper: Old Olive, Marina Mist, Real Red (SU)
Accessories: Owl and Bird Punch (SU), Labels 3 Nestie, 5/8" Brown Satin Ribbon, Lattice EF (SU), Red Buttons, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Inkspirations Sketch 85

Keesh came up with a wonderful sketch this week which played right into my self imposed challenge of using DP on cards :)

I pulled out some Basic Grey Kioshi paper and though you can't see much of it, I paired it with some Paper Studio Rust/Mint Horizontal Lines paper as the green was a perfect fit.   

The rest of the card fell together rather nicely.   Early Espresso was my accent colour, and since this card is for the friends we stayed with in Edmonton, I knew exactly which sentiment I wanted to use, one from Verve's Words Cannot Express.   The perfect expression of our feelings for this amazing family we are blessed to call dear friends :)     

The rest of the Design Team has some fabulous cards for your inspiration.

Cindy Kirsty Makeesha Renée Brandi Carrie Helen Ilina Lee-Anne Marisa

Just a reminder that each week Keesh will select a winner and an honorable mention and post their cards on the Inkspirations Challenge blog.  We'd love to see your card posted as a winner, all you have to do is play along.

Thanks for joining me today.  It's going to be a busy weekend with my son's soccer team in a tournament this weekend and my daughter starting to hyperventilate due to having to start high school.  Poor thing...she is an introvert who hates change so this is just about doing her in.  We have run "what if" scenarios for just about anything (what if you can't find your class, what if you walk into the wrong classroom, what if you miss the bus home etc.) so she is prepared in advance and doesn't have to think on her feet.  We have also toured the school and found all her classrooms so she knows where each of her classes will be and also knows where her locker is.  Thankfully she has a few friends that are on the same bus route (riding a school being another first) and has a wonderful, extroverted friend she hangs out with so I'm sure she will do just fine after the first week or so.  Just have to help her not to worry herself silly before until then!   

Have a fabulous Labour Day weekend!





What's In It?
Stamps: Words Cannot Express (Verve)
Paper: Basic Grey Kioshi, The Paper Loft Rust/Mint Horizontal Lines, Cream Linen, Early Espresso
Ink: Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink, Black
Accessories: Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, SU Scalloped Border Punch, 5/8" Brown Satin Ribbon, Recollections Paper Flowers, PTI Twine, Martha Stetwart Leaf Punch, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals