Sketch Saturday #746

Hi, stampin' peeps! Can you believe it's March 9th already? Not sure where February went, but here we are with Spring just around the corner. I don't know about you but I can't wait to see things blooming and hear birds chirping.

One fun thing that helps pass the time is playing along with sketch challenges. I love the Saturday Sketch Challenges. I am excited to share my project for Sketch Saturday #746. This one was a little more thought provoking. I had to figure out just how to fine tune my angles and lines. I like how it turned out though.

I used some found papers in my stash along with some vinyl line strips which really defined the different sections. The leaves were heat embossed with some Seth Apter Wow! embossing powder. I love the color variations I get when I use these. The image started out as a branch with leaves. I just nipped it apart to get them placed where I wanted them. The Kraft cardstock I used for the card base and sentiment went really well with the vintage style paper. Here is the sketch...

I opted to rotate the sketch to a portrait layout and, instead of dots, I added leaves. This card could be used for male or female, which is always good to have in your stash. I kept the inside of the card fairly simple. I just stamped a sentiment and added a thin strip of the vintage print paper down the side.

I know I sound like a broken record when I say how much I enjoy challenging myself with sketches. I know you've heard it from me a time or two (or twenty). Even when I don't feel the need for something inspirational, I like trying new techniques and using both new and old supplies to create something from a sketch. I can be sure I always have a good selection of cards in my box when I need them.

So, have I inspired you to play along? Need a little more inspiration? Check out the Sketch Saturday page and see what the others on the Design Team have to share. Then you can share your design after you've made your creation!

Enjoy your day. Thanks for sharing part of it with me!

Til next time,

Keepin' It Inky!

Sketch Saturday #743

Hello, crafty friends! I have a new project to share with you, based on the newest Sketch Saturday Release #743. I found another forgotten paper pack in my stash from the Paper Studio (Apartment 405) and was drawn to a couple selections.

The winter doldrums have set in and this paper combination just cheered me up a bit. I am low on sympathy cards, so I thought now would be a good time to start adding a few. I hate making them and sending them, but it's a little easier when it's combined with something enjoyable (the making them part). This is the sketch:

Sketch Saturday #743

 For the inside of the card, I used some of the scrap from the paper pack and dressed up the panel a little. The sentiments on the card are from an old set called Positive Thoughts from K. Andrew Designs.

What kind of cards do you have the most difficulty with? Next to manly cards, I think sympathy are my most difficult. I do find it easier, though, when I have a sketch to get my creative juices flowing. I sure hope you pop over to the Sketch Saturday Challenge #743 and play along. You'll find some great ideas from the Design Team there.

Til next time,

Keepin' It Inky

Sketch Saturday #722

 I'm back again with another Sketch Saturday Challenge (#722). This sketch really spoke to me. And one of my favorite combos to use is black, white and silver (or another accent color). Vellum is one of my favorite things to add to cards as well, so this vellum from Stampin' Up! is perfect with the simpleness of the card. The stamp and label die are also from SU!. 

This is the basic sketch:

I sure hope you will come play along and share your creation at Sketch Saturday Challenge.

Til next time,

Keepin' it inky!

First April Post for Sketch~N~Scrap

Ahoy!

I have a nautical card to share with you today, based on a sketch by Kelly Holifield. Here is the sketch:

And here is my project:

I made a shaker element using vinyl foam weather seal. Yup, weather stripping. I wanted something that would be flexible. This was a little sticky to work with, but the end result was that it worked fine. I started cutting out the frame using some Spellbinders dies.

I stamped and embossed my image, then added the washi tape. I then adhered the stripping around the center that was cut out of my frame.

I added some sand and tiny rocks and placed an oval cut of acetate on top.

I then added the frame, stamped my sentiment, and added some baker's twine.

The weather stripping gives enough height to accommodate a generous amount of "stuff".

Hope you enjoyed my card and are inspired to play along with our sketches over at Sketch~N~Scrap. Head there now and you will find lots of ideas and inspiration. Our sponsor this month is Creative Embellishments. You could even with a $20 gift certificate! Go! Now! Play!

Til next time, keepin' it crafty!

PCCCS #52

Hi, Again!

I'm back with another challenge card for Paper Craft Crew Card Sketch Challenge.  I came across this blog and now I can't seem to stop playing along.  LOL

Here is the sketch:

The sketch really appealed to me.  I think it's because it's a square card and I really like those lately (...subject to change like the weather).   And since I'm dreaming and wishing I could just hang out on the beach with an umbrella drink in my hand, I pulled out my shell stamps and went to town...er...the beach.  

I started out with a 5.25" square card base.  I spritzed the matting layer (5" square) with Smooch Spritz and set aside.  I then cut three pieces of twill ribbon and spritzed two of them with Smooch Spritz.  I cut a smaller piece for my main image mat and tore another cream color piece of cardstock for my top layer.  I stamped one shell in brown on the torn paper.  I then stamped the other shell in blue on a scrap piece and fussy-cut it out and attached some dimensional foam to the back.  The colored twill was attached to the mat along with the stamped layer and popped up shell.  The plain twill was attached and wrapped to the back of the mat.  The mat was then attached to the card and the fish and silver pearls added.

For the inside of the card, I added another matting layer and stamped more shells with Versamark and added a little of the blue spritz spray.

I opted to skip the sentiment on this card so I will be able to use it for whatever occasion presents itself. I think this would be an excellent masculine card.  They are usually a little harder to come by, and I'm happy to be able to add one to my stash!

Supplies used;

• Stamps:  Stippled Shells (SU!)
• Twill Tape (SU!)
• Smooch Spritz:  Sea Breeze and Caramel Latte (ClearSnap)
• Cardstock (Recollections)
• Ink: Versamark; Paris Dusk (Memento); Coffee (Ranger)
• Embellishments: Fish (K & Co.), Silver Pearls (Michaels)

Hope you enjoyed my card!  Feel free to leave me some blog love.  I enjoy reading your comments!

Til next time, keepin' it crafty!