Got Sketch? 151

Yesterday Valerie posted the latest sketch onto the Got Sketch? blog, sketch 151. When I first saw the sketch, I wasn't sure if I really wanted to do just one picture. It would've have definitely worked, but I fancied something else. I printed my pictures quite quickly, but then hit a stumbling block, as I didn't know what papers to use with the pictures. With the colours so soft in the photos, I wanted to keep it in that mood. I think it took me a week to decide which route to take. Once I'd decided it was done very quickly.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper | Patterned Paper: Crate Paper (Pretty Party Collection), October Afternoon (Sidewalk Collection), My Mind's Eye (Follow Your Heart Collection | Butterfly Die: Stampin'Up | Die-cuts: Crate Paper (Pretty Paper Collection) | Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts (Hello Thickers from Amy Tangerine Collection) | Twine: The Twinery | Markers: Staedler (Brown) + Pentel (White) | Buttons: October Afternoon | Corner Rounder: Zutter | Die: Papertrey Ink (Half & Half)

Do you ever get stuck and don't know what to do? Do you end up solving your dilemma, or does your project go unfinished? Any tips you'd like to share.

Today is also my youngest daughter's 9th birthday. I did make her a card, but haven't photographed it yet. I'll leave you with a picture that I took of her this morning.

Deconstructed Sketch No. 75

I played today. I created a card along the Deconstructed Sketch No. 75. I don't play along with these challenges as often anymore, but I sometimes still do, but never seem to get it on my blog. This time I actually got my camera out straight away, so I can show you what I've created.

Supplies: Cardstock: Papertrey Ink | Patterned Paper + Die-cut number + Snowflake: Pink Paislee (City Sidewalks collection) | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Stylish Sentiments: Holidays) | Ink: Stampin'Up (Lucky Limeade) + Papertrey Ink (Chai) | Marker: Staedler | Dies: Papertrey Ink (Mat Stack 4, Medium Scallop Border) | Ribbon: The Ribbon Man

This is my first Christmas card this year.

Got Sketch? Catch-Up

I haven't blogged very frequently lately, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been crafty. I guess I just feel I have no audience, so am reluctant to share. Anyway, Valerie just posted sketch 123 on the Got Sketch? blog, but I also have sketches 120, 121 and 122 to show you.

Let's do them in order. Sketch 120 was also featured on the Scrapbooks Etc. blog, which you can find here. Here's my layout which I created along the sketch.

Supplies: Patterned Paper: Little Yellow Bicycle, Jenni Bowlin, October Afternoon | Alphabet stickers: American Crafts | Clear Stamp: Autumn Leaves | Ink: Stampin’Up (Pretty in Pink) | Marker: ZIG | Felt Butterfly: Jenni Bowlin |Rhinestone Swirl: KaiserCraft | Circle Punch: Fiskars | Roses | Lace flower | Pinking Scissors

The second sketch, is sketch 121. I normally stick quite closely to Valerie's sketches, but with this one and really the previous one I wanted to angle to pictures a little to give it a less formal look. Also, on this one I chose to handwrite my journaling. As soon as I finished I regretted it, but decided to sleep on it and reconsider in the morning. I decided to stick with the handwritten journaling.

Supplies: Cardstock | Patterned Paper: October Afternoon (Rocket Man) + Making Memories | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Boy Basics: Simple Circles + Studio Calico | Letter Stickers: American Crafts | Ink: Stampin'Up (Riding Hood Red, Night of Navy, Marina Mist) | Dies: Papertrey Ink (Simple Circles Border, Seeing Stars, Banner Builder Collection) | Button | Marker: ZIG (Blue Jay) | Punch: Fiskars (Uppercrest)

Next is sketch 122, which was also featured on the Scrapbooks, Etc. blog here. Valerie asked if we could make something other than a card, so I created a gift bag. I'd had bought the gift bags a long time ago at the local arts & crafts store, but never put them to good use. I was quite pleased with the result, given this was my first gift bag I decorated.

Supplies: Kraft Paper Bag: Riot’s | Patterned Paper: My Mind’s Eye (Lost & Found Collection) | Punch: Martha Stewart | Ribbon: Vandoros | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Damask Designs) + Waltzing Mouse (Say It Loud) | Ink: Papertrey Ink (Vintage White) | Brad | Pearls: KaiserCraft | Lace: Spotlight | Die: Spellbinder Nestabilities Die (Blossom Two) used to make flower | Fabric: Spotlight

Lastly onto sketch 123. Valerie had given us a long lead time on this sketch. Although I instantly knew I which pictures I wanted to use for the layout, as it was a double one it took me forever to decide what papers to use. I ended up using cardstock as the backdrop on which I stamped some good old Autumn Leaves Big Swirl stamps. I decided to use October Afternoon papers for my patterned paper. Even though the colours of the papers aren't all present in the photos, it really give it some brightness.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Papertrey Ink (Hawaiian Shores, White and Spring Moss) | Clear Stamps: Autumn Leaves (Big Swirls), Papertrey Ink (Banner Builder) | Patterned Paper: October Afternoon (Farm Fresh, Modern Homemaker) | Alphabet Stickers: American Crafts | Dies: Sizzix (Hibiscus), Papertrey Ink (Banner), Silhouette (Sandcastle) | Ink: Brilliance (Moonlight White), Stampin'Up (Turquoise) | Label: Creative Imaginations | Markers

Now that I'm all caught up with my sketches for Valerie it's time to create a new one.

Twisted Cards #005

The other I day mentioned that I'd gained new inspiration after the holiday to create. I've been planning to make some layouts and a mini album. Unfortunately I'm having issues with my printer. It seems that part of the printer head of the colour magenta is broken, which causes stripes on the print outs. My hubby has been online forums trying to find a solution, but so far no luck. This means I can't print my pictures and using an outside shop isn't really an option as I'm not sure what size I would like the photos yet and I might print collages in some cases. Still bursting with energy and ideas,  I decided to make some cards instead.

Just over a month ago Ingrid announced she was a new member on the design team of Twisted Cards. Being a loyal sister-in-law I of course had to play along with one of the sketches. I chose Twisted Cards #005. Like Ingrid I turned the card 90 degrees, and also flipped it vertically.

The other day I went to my favourite shop on Maling Road, B*Inspired and bought some gorgeous linen look ribbon. With the papers I chose for this card, it was the perfect combination.



Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics | Patterned Paper + Punchouts + Borderlines: Pink Paislee 'Bayberry Cottage' | Ribbon: B*Inspired | Buttons | Border Punch: Martha Stewart | Clear Stamps: Papertrey Ink 'Signature Greetings', 'Butterfly Dreams' | Ink: Staz'On (Timber Brown), VersaColor (Umber) | Pearls: Kaisercraft | Butterfly Die: Papertrey Ink.

I'll be back with another post straight after this one, but as it's for another challenge I wanted to create a separate post for each one. Be back soon!

Scrapbook Inspirations Issue 60

On November 13th the last issue of Scrapbook Inspirations was out. Due to low sales the publishing company has decided to stop printing after the December issue. For this issue Shimelle asked me to create a Christmas layout and then lift that into a matching card. Here's the article from the magazine:



And here are some close-ups:





Supplies: Cardstock - Doodlebug Designs (sugarcoated), Patterned Paper + Die-cuts: My Mind's Eye, Ribbon + Holly + Tag: Making Memories, Rub-on: Scenic Route, Scalloped Square punch: Marvy Uchida, machine stitching.

I was also asked to create a layout according to a sketch for the January issue, but as that one will never be published I will show you it here. This is the sketch:



And my layout:

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye + Basic Grey, Letter stickers: American Crafts, AdornIt, Journaling circle: Jillibean Soup, Snowflake Die: Cuttlebug, Twine: Martha Stewart, Glitter: Stampin'Up, White Marker: Kikki.K, Buttons: various, Date stamp: newsagent, Brown marker: ZIG.

Last but not least... I was also asked to create a 'love' themed mini album for the Valentine's issue. Of course that one wouldn't have made it to print either, but instead of Scrapbook Inspirations publishing it, PaperCraft Inspirations will feature it instead.

I'll be back tomorrow with cards, party bags and hopefully some lovely pictures. Stay tuned!

2S4Y Laura's Sketch 25 + Card Patterns 13

Creating layouts is disastrous at the moment. What's in my head doesn't come out on paper at all. I've decided to let it rest and find renewed inspiration first. On the other hand making cards doesn't seem to be a problem. As I haven't played with any of the fabulous sketch challenges out there for a while, I decided to play along with a couple last night.

This week, Laura and Kazan introduced their new, once again mega talented 2 Sketches 4 You Summer design team. I made another anniversary card and along Laura's sketch 25:

Supplies: Bazzill Basics Cardstock | Scenic Route patterned paper | Papertrey Ink clear stamps Heart Prints | ribbon | Staz'On ink Jet Black | EK Success punch Heart | Kaisercraft Rhinestone | Crate Paper chipboard element.

The other card I made is for my friend's son. For this card I used Card Patterns latest sketch 13:

Supplies: Bazzill Basics Cardstock | Cosmo Cricket patterned paper + chipboard elements + ribbon | Papertrey Ink clear stamp Birthday Basics | Staz'On ink Black Jet | tag | twine.

The weather is dismal, but it's Friday (yeah!)... so I'm leaving you wishing everyone a fantastic weekend.

Sketch This: 82 + Got Sketch? 77

Yesterday Sketch This' new sketch went up. My hands have been itching for days to make a LO, but haven't been able to push myself to actually making any. Sketch 82 is just what I needed. Here's what I created using the sketch:



Supplies: Bazzill Basics Cardstock kraft and blue | October Afternoon patterned paper, alphabet stickers, and die cuts, Ellison #2 Stars die | Big Shot die cutting marchine | Stampin'Up border punch | Fiskars border punch | black marker.

At the beginning of this month I sent an email to Got Sketch? regarding their contributor interest. Just days later I received an email asking is I wanted to create a card along sketch 77. I made two cards using the same sketch.



Supplies: Bazzill Basics Cardstock kraft | Pebbles Inc. patterned paper and die cuts | Kaisercraft pearls | Prima Marketing Inc. flower | Martha Stewart border punch dots | Woodware corner rounder | EK Success corner rounder | Papertrey Ink clear stamp birthday basics | Staz'On Ink Timber Brown.



Supplies: Bazzill Basics Cardstock white | Pebbles Inc. patterned paper and die cuts | buttons unknown | Ribbon local haberdashery | Martha Stewart border punch | Woodware corner rounder | EK Success corner rounder | Melissa Frances clear stamp | Inkandinkado clear stamp | Staz'On Ink Timber Brown | Tag newsagent | Fancy Pants pin.

On the Got Sketch? blog you can find the sketch and the gorgeous creations for the other contributors.

That's all for now. Until later.

Happy (UK) Mother's Day + Card Patterns #7

Today the UK celebrates Mother's Day. We decided not to celebrate it today, as my mum will be with us when it's Mother's Day in the rest of the world and we thought it would be better to celebrate it then. Even so, David did get me a beautiful bunch a flowers, which were delivered yesterday.

Also, the kids each made a Mother's Day card for me. Ruben and Renee made one and school and Rebecca made one yesterday at home:

This is Rebecca's beautiful card: 

Ruben did some very creative quilling: 

And Renee made this gorgeous creation:

Besides us not celebrating Mother's Day for me, it is of course also Mother's Day for David's mum. I came across a cute little project a few months ago on Kaisercraft's website. It's quick, simple and easy, which was just what I was looking for. The star book can hold 6 pictures of 2.5"x4.5". Over the past couple of days I've been taking new photographs of the kids, added my favourite to the book and the other three frames were for them to fill with their own art. Here's how it ended up:






















This morning I ended up making a card, matching the mini star book along Card Patterns #7 sketch.



Supplies: Bazzill Basics Cardstock white | Basic Grey patterned paper + die cut + alpha stickers Porcelain | Making Memories velvet trim | Kaisercraft Pearls | Spellbinder Nestbilities scalloped oval + circle.

Instead of a bouquet of flowers I choose to buy something different this time for my MIL:



I got this heart wreath here

This afternoon we went to visit her, and to give her her presents. I hope you all had a wonderful Sunday. Until next time.

Birthday Wishes

Today my niece, Fleur turned 8. Quite a big girl already. I created a real girlie girl card for her. For the shape I used a page from a chipboard album from Basic Grey and cut around it with an x-acto knife.



Supplies: cardstock - Bazzill Basics, PP, rub-on, brad and sheer flower - Imaginisce, stamp - Melissa Frances, ink - Stampin'Up, white flower - Heidi Swapp, ribbon - garden centre, tag - Staples.

Earlier today, Fleur told me on the phone she got some lovely presents, so I trust she had a great birthday.

Also, the past 4 days I've been a guest designer on this blog. I didn't get much feedback (thanks Ingrid for leaving a comment everyday :-D). Here's a photo summary of the sketches, cards and LO I created. If you would like the read the complete posts and see the supply lists, you can read them here, here, here and here.

That's all from me today. I've caught up with my December Daily today, but haven't taken any pictures since day 3. Have a lovely weekend and thank you for stopping by.

Laura's Sketch 11 & My Bonus Sketch

Although I haven't shown you anything in the past week, I have been creating a couple of cards together with Ingrid, while she was visiting. One of those, was our card for 2 Sketches 4 You. The sketch was as usual, but we were asked to make it on a pop-up card from DeNami Designs, whom is this week's sponsor.

Even though I was a bit apprehensive about making the card, I'm surprisingly pleased with the outcome. Here's Laura's sketch:



And this is how my card turned out. I used the three-tiered pop-up card:





Supplies used: cardstock - Scenic Route, PPs - Scenic Route, ribbon - ?, pearls - KaiserCraft, border punch - Fiskars,  corner rounder punch - Woodware, clear stamps - Basic Grey & Melissa Frances.

Go and check out 2S4Y to see all the amazing creations by the design team.

Also, this week it was my turn to provide the bonus sketch and card:

Supplies: cardstock - Bazzill Basics, PPs - Making Memories, Sassafras Lass & Scenic Route, ribbon - local haberdashery, bling sentiment - Heidi Swapp, butterfly punch - Martha Stewart, clear stamp - Hero Arts, pearls - KaiserCraft, flower - Prima Marketing.

To be card of the week, you don't have to make a card along my sketch, but if you do decide to make a card along my sketch, please leave me a link in the comments, as I'm curious to see what you've created.

And lastly, in case you are interested to be part of the Winter Design Team of 2S4Y, you can apply here. I must say it's been fabulous to work with Laura and Kazan over the past three months and definitely worthwhile investing your time into.

Until next time.

This is weird

Today is my MIL's birthday. Congratulations, Barbara! I hope you'll have a lovely day. I was really excited to show you the card I made for her. I searched through my complete 2008 photo library, but couldn't find. Did I accidentally delete it? No, not in the trash. So, I must have forgotten to take a picture of it. It feels really weird, as this hasn't happened to me before, as I was convinced I did take a picture of it. I'm quite bummed, as I was quite proud of the end result. Anyway, I can't show you the actual card, but I drew a sketch in PS:



I used these digital papers for the sketch. For the actual card I used SEI, leftovers from Hayley's LO. For the sentiment I used Making Memories Mini Alpha stickers, like in this card. And as I do on most cards I embossed the background with Basic Grey clear stamps and psychedelic powder. The flowers and butterflies were handcut from the PP. Hopefully that way you can imagine what it looks like.

Today's picture is from this morning when the boys were playing soccer and the girls were in charge of putting up signs for our garage sale tomorrow morning. However, after we put up the signs lots of people already dropped by, which meant we already sold for a couple hundred Dollars today.

May 31st, Garage Sale: