New Sketches

I found a new Sketch web site that is just starting up. It's called Card Patterns. They will be featuring weekly card sketches - this will be fun to watch!
Here's my take on their maiden sketch:


Thanks for peeking!

Refurbished

It's been a while since I mixed things up around here, so I thought some redecorating was in order. You know what they say - A change is as good as a rest, or something like that...
Hope you like the new look!

This past week was my Stampinup card exchange. I put this one together for my contribution. All supplies used are Stampinup (of course!)

It's time for CHA Winter - I love this time of year, because everyone is releasing new lines all at once. It's fun visiting all the different manufacturer's blogs and getting to see sneak peeks of it all!
A few favorites so far? (Click on the name to see the peeks)

Melissa Frances
Basic Grey (I like the Wisteria and Bittersweet lines, as well as the embellishments)
Making Memories
Queen & Co.
...and Prima

If I see anything else that I fall in love with, I'll let you know! :)
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Tim Holtz Techniques

This past week I've been trying to play on Scrapbook Doodles Scrap-a-thon. The idea was to use up all the scraps you have laying around.
One of the challenges was to lift a technique from one of the top scrapbooking masters - none other than Tim Holtz. I thought it would be fun to take pictures as I went, and share the experience! (Especially since this will probably be the only time I ever do anything this complicated! LOL!)

I chose to lift the technique from his 12 days of Christmas tag from Day 5.
Since this was a tag, I decided to use a tag my the card, rather than try to do the whole face of the card.

So, First I cut the tag (with my Quickutz Revolution)

Then, I painted the tag red with my craft paints, and let dry completely.

Next, I stamped a design on the tag, using my VersaMark ink pad.

I used a second decorative stamp to fill on the side of the tag

I sprinkled both with embossing powder - shake off the excess when finished.

Heat with a heat gun until the embossing powder melts. Let cool.

Paint the tag again with a different color. I chose a creamy Ivory. Let dry, (but not until the paint is completely set.)

Spritz a soft cloth with water, then gently rub over the embossed design, until the paint is removed from the embossed areas.

Finished tag

I aged the edges of my tag using a brush tool and Tim Holtz Tea Dye distressing ink.

My finished card - I embellished the tag with a metal eyelet, buttons, die cuts, and metalic cord. Fun project!

It's Sketch Time Again...

Lucy's new sketch is up for January, and I played along. I chose papers from Pebbles in my Pocket, chipboard from Cosmo Cricket, and Prima flowers. (Heart is Heidi Swapp, and the rub-on Making Memories)

...Still working on the technical issues, but I thought you might like a change of scene! LOL

Final Round

Once again my hubby rode in to my rescue just in the nick of time.
...He helped me upload my photos for the last round of the Memories from the Attic Christmas card contest. (I've been having computer problems.)

Here are my latest submissions - this first one is for the "Shaped Card" category. It was inspired by some Christmas gift tags I found at WalMart - I loved the color scheme, so I used that too! These papers are Making Memories, the snowflakes are Provo Craft. The "bling" is My Mind's Eye.


Next is the "Vintage/Victorian" category. I fell in love with these rich looking papers by Cosmo Cricket and K&Company. The design was inspired by one of my favorite card makers, Iralamija. The ribbon used is from Stampinup, the label is Melissa Frances, the flower is Prima, and the antique button was from my mother's collection.

My "Stamped card" uses a fun set I just got from Stampinup. I used silver embossing powder on the snowflakes, and the deer was stamped with a light blue and sprinkled with lt. blue glitter. These ribbons are also from JoAnn's.

This last card is for the "Non-traditional color" category. I wanted to do black & white, but several other people chose that, so I fell back on the teal/brown combo. These papers are from Daisy D's Fall/Halloween collection, the tag is from etsy, and the flower is from JoAnn's.

Thanks for looking!
...Winners will be announced on Monday.
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Thanksgiving Eve...

Taking a minute to wind up the last card in round one of Memories from the Attic's Christmas card contest. This one is for the "Stamped Card" category.
Basic Grey papers, Prima lace, Stampinup stamp, ribbon and metals.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving day!

Week 2

This week's entry for the Memories from the Attic Christmas card contest is one using non-traditional colors.

I've seen so many pretty Christmas decorations around using chocolate browns lately, that I was inspired to try that. The only problem was that these dark colors are hard to photograph well - this was the best shot I could get:

I used Basic Grey "Wassail" papers for this, and the snowflake is Making Memories. The Merry Christmas rub-on is Imaginisce.

This one is for the "shaped card" category:

I used some of that awesome new Bazzill polka-dot embossed cardstock, snowmen from Sandylion, and the tree was made with a Quickutz die. I added some chalks just for shading/highlighting.
Thanks for looking!

(BTW - I made it through round one!)
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