2 year, 2 month and 2 day anniversary

My good friend Rachel got married on 10/10/10.  I made peacock themed invitations and other paper goods for the wedding.  Last year on Rachel and Mike's 1 year, 1 month and 1 day anniversary (11/11/11) I made this card

This year on 12/12/12 they will get this card for their 2 year, 2 month and 2 day anniversary

and then I'm out (Now if there was a 13th month I'd continue this little trend, but 1/13/13 just doesn't have the coolness factor :))

I used the November Sketch For You To Try with vintage damask paper from The Paper Studio (Poetic Postcards pack), Ocean tides and White card stock (PTI) and Peacock Kaylee from SoG

I knew the first time I saw this digi that I wanted to make an anniversary card with it.  I was more than a little intimidated by the coloring but asked for some tips from my Created From Color Basic Coloring class instructor who dazzled me with her release day project.  She sent me the copic list and after completing the class I didn't feel quite so intimidated anymore.

Copics used (via Melissa Andrew)
outfit:  BG70, BG72, BG75, BG78 and E40, E41, E42, E44, E49 and a bit of BG90, BG93, BG96, BG99
skin: E000, E00, E11 
lips and cheeks: R20

For the lace I used a bit of C6 various ink refill and custom dyed some white lace.  I actually got a big stash of lace (some hand-crocheted) from Rachel after her grandmother passed away a few years ago.  I love using that bit of nostalgia on cards for her.  

Thanks for stopping!

Fly Away

Today was chilly and gray ...you can tell fall is here and winter isn't far behind.  Since its WCMD, I decided to make a fallish card using the October SFYTT

 I used Leaf Prints (PTI) and lots of fall colors (Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler  Tangerine Tango, Crumb Cake and Cajun Craze - all SU) for the leaves and splatters

The focal image is Fly Away fairy from SoG.  I glittered up the dandelion fluff for the FBW challenge this week.

Copic deets:
Fluff: Co, C2
Stem: YG95, YG97, YG99
Skin: E000, E00, E11, E13, R81, R83, R85, BV20
Hair: E08, E19, E29, E59, (headband) YR65, YR18
Clothes/Wings: YR18, YR15, YR12,

Thanks for stopping!

September Sketch For You To Try

I love that Jen posts the SFYTT on Facebook on the Friday night before it goes live on her blog.  I got my Saturated Canary digi images that I won in last weeks FBW challenge.  I spent about 2 hours (and several bazillion Copic markers) coloring this beauty called A Washi Tape Kinda Girl.

And as it turns out this one fits in the Saturated Canary weekly challenge - Dotty this week...the whole right half of the card is dotty !!  :)

I {heart} washi tape especially since I learned to make my own during this year's Stamp-a-faire online event. I used up the last of my home made washi on this card.

Here are the Copic deets:
Hair: YR21, Y26, Y21
Skin: E13, E11, E00, E000, E0000, BV20, R83
Eyes: B97, B95, B91
Shirt: B18, B45, B41, R89, R85, R81
Shoes: R59, R27, R24
Pants: E47, 442, E41, E09, E09, YR65
Shadow: T4, T1

By the time I got to coloring the tape I was pretty wiped so I did not write down the colors.  Y, G, R, and BG but I couldn't tell you the numbers if my life depended on it.  Sorry 'bout that

I {heart} how she turned out.  Our last Copic Basic coloring class lesson was Light Sources and it really helped make her look better I think.  And I {puffy heart} the sentiment ... I've never owned "real" washi tape, but I bet I could love it as much or more than my home made kind!

Thanks for stopping!

August SFYTT

WoW .... This is my 500th post!  To celebrate I got a head start on this month's Sketch For You To Try (saw the sneaky peek on Facebook :)

And since I've been on such a coloring kick, I used on of my new Tiddly Inks digis for this sketch

For the card base I used Wisteria Wonder (SU!).  The layers are Blue Moon (Tiddly Inks) and Elegant Eggplant (SU!).  The image is Sweet Dreams Wryn.

For the coloring I used a whole boatload of Copics:
     Hair: E19, E08, E59, E47, E53, T1, T4
     Skin: E00, E0000, E11, BV000, R81
     Book: R29, R27, R24, R59, YR24, YR65
     Slippers: T1, T4, R81, R83
     Jammies: V91, V93, V99, BV08, BV13, BV29

The vertical piece was cut using the PTI Half & Half die and then embossed using the Divine Swirls embossing folder.  I thought the swirls added a nice whimsical touch.

On a happy note I'm signed up for the Created From Color Basic Copic class.  It starts Monday.  I can't wait to learn how to do this better!!

Thanks for stopping!

July SFYTT - Just Because

Imagine crisp white paper, an embossed  hounds tooth pattern, touches of red .... that's where I started but not where I ended up.

I decided on the tree and the bird and hounds tooth just didn't work with that, so I pulled out my Summer Camp patterned paper and spring moss card stock.  A little bit of Chocolate Chip card stock and grosgrain ribbon, a wood grain impression plate and voila - kinda looks like a tree right?

 For the focal layer I cut a circle of Cherry Cobbler then a smaller one of white.  I stamped the branch to align with the bottom edge of the tree patterned layer.  I colored the leaves with Simply Chartreuse copic trio and the bird with Pure Poppy copic trio.  I stamped the bird again on Pure Poppy dotted patterned paper and cut out the wing and popped it up on foam tape

After seeing Maile Belles blog this week with stamping then adding texture I decided to try that and stamped the sentiment from Giga Guidelines in Chocolate Chip ink then embossed with the wood grain impression plate.

Thanks for stopping!

June SFYTT

The last few cards I've made I've had sand and surf and flip flops on the brain. This one is no exception.  As soon as I saw the big circle in the middle of the SFYTT sketch for June, I thought SUN sand, surf and flip flops ... well it IS getting to be summer you know

Colors are Pool Party, Raspberry Ripple, Midnight Muse, and Watercolor paper (SU!) and also Summer Sunrise (PTI).  I Die cut the sun with an inverted scalloped circle die and a standard circle die (Nestabilities).

I used the barn wood stamp from BB:Farm and Barn for the plank of wood and FLippin' Out for the flip flops Stamps and dies).  I added half back pearls along the wishbone part of the flip flops to dress them up a little.

The pail is from Tremendous Treats : Valentines.  Sentiment is from Take 3: Fall. (all stamps are from PTI).

For the sand and surf I used baby wipes, Crumb Cake and Pool Party inks and water color paper.  I left the nestie die on the paper so I got that nice white edge .  I love that look - sort of looks like a double mat :)

Thanks for stopping!

Birthday SFYTT

Today the May Sketch For You To Try comes out.  After all the heavy lifting this week moving my eldest back home after her first year of college, I needed a crafty break

Here's what I did:

 I used a lot of stamp sets on this one: On My Couch and OMC Additions, Lighten Up, and Happiest Birthday Wishes (a new one I just got in my Stampin's Up order)

 I loved the font used on "Birthday" in this stamp.  I also colored in the letters to set them off a bit using YG93 Copic sketch marker.  I also did a little ombre look with the baby wipe technique.  Only used one color and allowed it to go from dark to light .

Colors are Real Red, Island Indigo, Pool Party and Ripe Avocado

Thanks for stopping!

April SFYTT

So I haven't done a whole lot of crafting lately.  I just seem to be in a slump and don't feel creative at all.  Since even making a card seems like a challenge, I thought I'd continue the yellow theme because yellow is a challenge for me too.

Here's what I made for this months Sketch For You To Try

I like the idea of dots so went with the Swiss Dots CB embossing folder and Polka Dot Basics stamps set.  The colors are Soft Suede and Delightful Daffodil.  The floral stamp set is PTI's anniversary set Pretty Peony.

Thanks for stopping!

March SFYTT

I love the March sketch on Sketch For You To Try, but after my menu board I think I ran out of mojo.  I stared at it for a long time (like half an hour) and couldn't think of anything to do.  I had friends over for a stampy  party so we all just talked and ate and I helped them with cards, until I walked around my extra table and saw my Beautiful Butterflies set, still unopened.  I flashed back on all the gorgeous rainbow butterfly cards that were made during the count down and I finally had my inspiration.

Here's what I made:

Color scheme is Tempting Turquoise and Melon Mambo.  The accent colors are Rich Razzleberry, Delightful Daffodil and Tangerine Tango.

This is a birthday card for a dear friend.  Hope she likes the bright colors :)

Thanks for stopping

February SFYTT

Second post today ... I got up early and had A LOT of time in the craft room before getting ready for church ...

Here is the second installment of the 2012 Sketch For You To Try ... a monthly sketch challenge hosted by Jen Del Muro 

I flipped the sketch on its side and used my new SU! goodies that I got this week (Framelits dies and Apothecary Art set and the SAB Everyday Enchantments patterned paper.

Colors are Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, and Early Espresso

The buttons are New Leaf vintage buttons from PTI.

SFYTT - 2012 kickoff

The first Saturday of the month has come and gone.  That means I'm late on teh Sketch For You To Try ... not really I have all month, but I usually crank it out the first day.  Not so this month,  feels like I've been in a bit of a slump. But here is my entry for this months sketch

I used my bloom builders die and created the flower from Lemon Tart card stock.  The rest is just layers.
I tried to add a little interest by embossing with the Leafy Branch folder.  I like how it ties the patterned paper and the flower focal piece together.

Colors are Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, Spring Moss, and Lemon Tart

Thanks for stopping!

Last SFYTT of the Year

Its the first Saturday of December and that means Sketch For You To Try time!  This is the last sketch of the year.  I've been happy to be able to participate in all the sketches this year. 

Here's a look at the past entries I've had for 2011:
Jan, Feb, Mar, April, May, June, July, Aug, Sept, Oct, and Nov.

It was really fun looking back over the whole year of sketch challenges :)

Here's December's offering:

 

 When I saw the sneaky peek on Facebook I just thought "snowflakes, its perfect for snowflakes".  So snowflakes it is ... Not a lot of stamping on this card  just the cloud from Up Up and Away and the sentiment and tree from In The Meadow.  The rest is patterned paper and die cuts (rolling hills, large and small snowflakes).

I added glitter and rhinestones to make it sparkle!

Thanks for stopping

MIM and SFYTT November

Today I got to play with the Make It Monday video (making your own backgrounds with multiple stamps) and the November Sketch For You To Try (early even, thanks to a sneak peek post on FB).

I again made a birthday card for my aunt's 90th birthday card barrage (I just like saying that out loud .... birthday card barrage ... see how that just rolls off your tongue!)

I used the digi stamp I selected as my prize for being Queen of the Hoedown this week from Hambo stamps.  I fell in love with the little penguin the first time I saw him!

I also created a custom dotted background using Polka Dot Basics for both the large white strip and the darker enchanted evening background layer.  I stitched the sentiment layer on with a little zig zg stitch.

I colored the Balloon Penguin using T6 and G99 to simulate black.  The balloon is R24, 29, 59 and the feet and beak are a combo of YR18, 15 12.

The sky was B41 and the "iceberg"  was C1, T1 and T4 along with some colorless blending

Thanks for stopping!

MIM and September SFYTT

Its been a while.  First I was busy with a new job, then for the last week I've been without Internet.  Everything is back to normal and I felt inspired by the latest Make It Monday video as well as the September Sketch For You To Try

 The sketch this month was once again mah-velous.  MIM was using acrylic paint to stamp.  It just so happened that I still had some Lumiere (silver acrylic paint) and so I grabbed my A Little Argyle stamps and set to work.

The floral center is Bloom Builders 3 die.  I am having some trouble getting the blooms out and had to use a craft knife to get the pieces out from between the petals.  Some of them come out easy and some are more difficult.  If anyone has a trick to using it I'd love to hear

Colors are Concorde Crush, Whisper White and Basic Black

Thanks for stopping!

MIM#26 and the August SFYTT

I'm finally able to breathe a little and so of course I spent my quiet Saturday morning in my craft room, catching up on all the crafty things I've wanted to do all week.

Make It Monday this week was creating layers with cutouts ... sort of drilling down through layers instead of diecutting and layering up.

Since its the first weekend of the month, I also played with the Sketch For You To Try for August ...

 I like how it turned out.  The jar is actually cut out of the Wisteria Wonder layer, then white was adhered to the back of that.  I stamped the pint jar in Wisteria Wonder and bug flight trail in Smokey Shadow.  THEN I die cut the label through the jar, added a second layer of Wisteria Wonder and stamped the label outline and sentiment

The little bee is also from the Friendship Jar Summer Fillers set.  I stamped him in Momento Tuxedo Black and colored with a Y35 Copic Sketch.  I colored the stripe in with a black sharpie and added the top stripe

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies
Stamps: Friendship Jar Summer Fillers, Fillable Frames #8, Friendship Jar, Polka Dot Basics
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Wisteria Wonder, Smokey Shadow
Paper: Temping Turquoise, Wisteria Wonder, Basic Black, Whisper White
Other: Pint Jar die, Jar Label die

Sweet New Baby

My niece is due in a week (read any day now).  The baby's room is going to be all green and yellow, so I made a card to match using this month's Sketch For You To Try

I was going for a "Good Night Moon" with a giraffe theme ... how'd I do ?  :)  I made the moon using a 1" circle punch and the stars with a folk star punch (SU! retired).  The giraffe and sentiment stamps are form Sweet Baby [PTI].  Colors are Certainly Celery and So Saffron.  A little bit of Chocolate Chip for accent.

Its a little lighter/paler that I usually make so I can't tell if I like it or it was it was just a fun experiment.  I'd welcome any feedback you have.

Thanks for stopping by!

June SFYTT

Yesterday was the first Saturday of June and that means a new Sketch For You To Try.  These always fall right when I need to make cards so I was ready to use this sketch for some more graduation thank yous

I went with a nautical theme so all the thank you cards weren't floral and girly.  I tore paper to make the waves on the background layer and then just started layering clouds and sails and things.

Color scheme is Night of Navy, Marina Mist and Bashful Blue.  The pop of red is Pure Poppy dotted patterned paper

Thanks for stopping by!

May Sketch For You To Try

This is the First Saturday of May so the new SFYTT was posted this morning.  I decided to also try the free digi stamp from Paper Smooches by Kim Hughes ... I think I'll be buying me some of these stamps.  They are absolutely adorable.

Both the bee and the sentiment were free downloads (Kim does a free digi download every month)

I went with a bit of a floral theme since the bee goes for the flowers.  I cut the sentiment up so it fit in the flower center then tried to stitch around it.  Its a lot harder to sew in a circle than I imagined it would be :)

I sponged some sky and grass in the bee's circle and also painted his little wings with some shimmer mist.  In real life, they sparkle

Thanks for stopping by!

April SFYTT

I like simple cards.  I like them even better when they look a little more complicated then they really are. 

Here is my card for this month's SFYTT:

I actually used a Christmas paper (Rustic Snowflakes) for the background, but with the springy modern butterfly I think it works.  I punched some of the dots and used SU! Build A Brad to create the line of 3 at the bottom.

I stamped the same butterfly as the focal image alternately right side up and upside down on the red layer and filled in just a couple of them as a highlight.

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies}
Stamps: Modern Basics [PTI]
Ink: Real Red, Crumb Cake [SU!]
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red [SU!]; Rustic Snowflakes patterned [PTI]
Other: Build a Brad [SU!]

I'm Baa-aack

I have felt so uninspired lately.  I can't believe that I haven't posted (or even made a card) for almost a month. But I was at a women's conference yesterday and the cover a friend's journal really inspired me.  Then I got up this morning and the SFYTT just fit so well with what I had in mind anyway that I got busy creatin'

The center layer and the color scheme was inspired by my friends journal.

 For the butterfly I used a Provocraft die/embossing folder set I bought years ago at Sam's club.  I colored inside the embossing folder with a navy marker then embossed the butterfly to get the two-tone effect.

Thanks for stopping by!

{Supplies}
Stamps: French Script [SU!]; Turning a New leaf, Round & Round [PTI]
Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Early Espresso [SU!]; Fresh Snow [PTI]
Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Marina Mist [SU!]
Other: Rhinestone [KaiserCraft]; Butterfly die/embossing [ProvoCraft], wide oval punch [SU!]; Sticky Labels for masking [3M]