Monday sketch @ 2Sketches 4 U

A new sketch is up at 2Sketches 4 U.
It's Kazan's turn for Sketch 23
& I enjoyed working with her sketch.
You should see the projects by the design team!!
Each week they blow me away w/their creativity
& diversity of style.
I hope you will check out their work too.
I'm still trying to use up older stash,
so I was inspired to pull out some SEI.
I didn't intend on making anything Christmas related,
but it ended up that way,
so why not use it all:)
This is a gift set I made
& I'm hoping you can tell I incorporated the sketch
on all 3 items, but more loosely on the tag.

This week is a busy week,
as I get everything ready for our Spring Break.
This week Berdien made a bonus sketch w/card
& I'm hoping to make a card before I leave.
I hope you have a blessed, beautiful Monday!

So Sketchy Rectangular card

Here's another sketch from So Sketchy.
I enjoyed making this card
& the design team did an awesome job
of versatility with one sketch.
In place of paper circles,
I hand-stitched using some DMC floss.
I actually used 2 colors to match the paper.
We were also sponsored by the Cutting Cafe again.
So the sentiment is another one of their printables.
I also used some Twistel,
for those of you who remember what that is:)

I can't believe our Spring Break is almost here.
It's start April 6th, but we're leaving April 2nd.
We'll be in SanDestin from the 2nd through the 5th.
Then bringing the girls back to leave for Six Flags on the 6th.
Me & hubby head back to SanDestin through the 9th
only to return in time to greet the girls.
I'm definitely looking forward to some pool & beach time,
but I'm so nervous about letting my girls go.
Okay, that's all for now.......gotta run

Color Inspiration 46; Card Patterns #7 & Use It

I'm still muddling through my creativity.
I know we all get in these slumps from time-to-time
& it seems that during these times
is when I have the best ideas.
I just can't seem to get them to come together.
I can't tell you how many cards
I've made in the past week that will never be seen:)
It's all part of the process......I'm sure.
But through it all,
I did make 2 cards, I'm somewhat okay with.
The first is my take on the latest Color Inspiration challenge.
I'm enjoying these challenges for 1 simple reason:
STAMPING!
I have more stamps than a person has a right to
& they are sadly neglected.
So, these challenges make me use them.
NOT that I have to use them,
but I choose to & I'm glad.
For this card, I used a flower stamp by October Afternoon
paired w/some watermark ink & holographic embossing powder.
The sentiment is even stamped in a Hero Arts "soft pink"
though it probably looks white,
& the DMC floss is a light pink color.
I know it's nothing great,
but I used some stamps I've never used
& that's what counts......to me, at least:)

My 2nd card is based off 2 challenges:
Card Patterns #7 sketch
& Use It's #3 challenge.
The Use It challenge was to use:
eyelets, which I did on my "berry bush:)"
polka dots, which I did on my green border paper
something more than 1 year old, which my AC stickers qualify

So, that's all I have.
Girls were home from school today
for teacher planning day
but the weather has been overcast
& extremely windy.
Maybe I'll work on some layouts?

2Sketches 4 U & DeNami Designs stamps

Happy Monday to you!!
I hope your weekend was as beautiful as mine.
Our weather has been absolutely perfect.
I'm able to do my morning walk/run in 60 degree weather
& then mid-afternoon it's a beautiful 75ish.
I really wish it would stay this way year-round.
Since it's Monday,
that means another beautiful sketch at 2Sketches 4 U.
This week is Laura's turn
& we were sponsored by DeNami Design.
I received this uber-cute Cupcake Tower stamp
with a sentiment stamp to match.
It might be hard to tell,
but I stamped the image w/Staz-on Black,
colored the cupcakes using colored pencils,
restamped using a watermark,
then used a turquoise embossing powder to add shine.

DeNami Designs is also offering a special 10% coupon code exclusive to 2S4Y readers!
The Code:
March2S4Y
The expiration is 3/30/09
the discount is good for anything on the website:)
How to Enter:• Please provide a link to your card by posting it on this thread• Deadline for all entries: Saturday March 28th at Midnight (US Mountain time)• Your card should be based off the sketch provided and can be of any theme• The winning card will be announced as the Card of the Week on Sunday, March 29th here at 2 Sketches 4 You.• International Cardmakers are welcome to enter

I'm kinda excited about this week,
Ashlyn doesn't have school on Wednesday,
so I'm trying to think of something fun for her & I:)
She actually only has 8-days left of school
before Spring Break & she's so excited.
Welp, so much to do & so little time.
Gotta get busy!!

So Sketchy card

There's nothin' going on in my neck of the woods.
The weather has & is absolutely gorgeous.
I'm thinking of getting some sun tomorrow.
I've had ZIP, ZERO mojo all week.
I've got things to get done
& no motiviation or gumption to even attempt.
But, I do have a card to show you for So Sketchy.
For this card, I used some more of the fabulous products
from The Cutting Cafe.
The cupcake & the sentiment came from them
& I paired it with some older Basic Grey
I also used my new Martha Stewart cupcake punch.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Weather wise,
I know we will
& if I'm lucky
my mojo will return long enough to get some assignments done!!

2Sketches 4 U Monday

Happy Monday to you!!
Today there is a new sketch at 2 Sketches 4 U.
This week is Kazan's week for a beautiful sketch.
Sakura is our sponsor this week
& we are doing something a little different.
To help celebrate Youth Art Month,
2 Sketches 4 U is hosting "two" challenges.
The first is our regular weekly sketch
and the 2nd challenge is for a child!!
So, if you have a son/daughter, neice/nephew,
granddaughter/grandson............whomever,
have them make a card too.
It doesn't have to follow the sketch,
but if they want to use it............Great!!
Don't forget to upload BOTH of your cards
so we can oooohhhh & aaaahhh over everyone's work.
So, here is my take on Kazan's sketch.
A card we gave to Ashlyn's teacher,
along w/a bag of Starbucks coffee.
She helped so much in preparing the kids for FCAT,
we thought she deserved a little something too.

Please look for this in the October 2009 CARDS

And, here is Ashlyn's take on the sketch.
Since her teacher LOVES coffee,
she saw this AC coffee cup & wanted to use it.
I cut her card base & the yellow paper,
but she did everything else, including tieing the bow.
It does look very similar to mine,
but that makes her happy!!

The design team did a GORGEOUS job....
I'm always amazed at their take on creativity.
AND their kiddos.............
OH MY.............you MUST go check out their work.
I can't wait to see what everyone creates.
So grab a little one,
some scrapbook supplies
& get to creating!!!!

CPS 107 & Card Patterns 6

It's a very wet, soggy, rainy day here in sunny FL.
I feel blessed we have the rain,
as I watch the weather channel & hear of areas in
southern FL that are having a drought.
It's making me slow-down today
& enjoy doing simple things....
not get in a rush.
So, while the girls are w/grammie & papa,
I did a card for CPS 107 & one for Card Patterns #6.
The first is my card for CPS.
I've been wanting to use this little duck card
for about 2-weeks now.
I think it's so cute
& worked perfectly for a baby card.
Of course,
I don't know anyone due to have a baby,
but I have a card..................
just in case:)

Here's my take on Card Patterns #6.
When I first saw this sketch,
I was skeptical I'd be able to use it.
The design team did a fab job,
but I wasn't too sure about myself.
Going w/another baby card (don't ask:)
this is what I came up with.
I was originally going to put the black rub-ons
in opposing corners.....like the sketch,
but I wanted to use the long rub-on also.
I now wonder if it would have looked better w/out?

Trying to decide if I want to finish reading Pride & Prejudice
or scrap some more? Reading makes me sleepy!!
We're having the in-laws over for dinner.
Even though the weather is rainy,
we can still grill-out
& enjoy some family time.
I hope your Sunday is as blessed as mine!

CPS 106

Spring cleaning.
It makes me feel so good,
but dern tired:)
Thanks to my wonderful in-laws,
we were finally able to get Ashlyn a desk w/hutch.
I wanted to deep-clean her room
before putting it together,
but dh wanted to put it together right away.
So, I did deep-cleaning afterwards
& I'm really tired now!!

CPS #106 sketch was a challenge for me.
The design team did an awesome job
& I love everything they created.
They made the sketch look so easy.
You might remember this cute Sassafras ad?
I've been hoarding it for the perfect occassion
& last night I thought it might work for this sketch.

Do I LOVE the card?
Not exactly, but it's still cute-ish? Maybe?
Nothin' like Christmas in March!!
That's all I have for now.
I've been so busy cleaning,
I haven't had time to do anything else.
I hope you're having a wonderful weekend.
Despite the cleaning,
I am!!

Color Inspiration 45 & a Guest Designer Spot

So Sketchy is looking for an April Guest Designer.
Is this something you think you'd be interested in?
Then go here to get all the details.
If you've never seen Allison's sketches,
take the time to browse them,
as she's very talented.
She offers 12x12, 8.5x11 & card sketches.
Check out this post to see some layouts & a card
I recently did using some of Allison's sketches.
Today I did the Color Inspiration 45 challenge.
Such a classic color combo that I adore,
but I HAD to add a splash of color.

FCAT is finally over
& we're thrilled!!
Ashlyn feels she did really well
& I'm sure she did.
We're proud of how hard she worked.
The weather here has been absolutely gorgeous
& it's definitely getting closer to beach/tanning weather!!
Maybe I'll wash my truck this weekend?
Or not:)

So Sketchy card & layouts

*edited to add: This post was supposed to be published Wednesday morning. I just realized it never posted & I'm not sure why? So, it's a day late*

For the month of March,
I got to work with 3 card sketches for So Sketchy.
Today I'm excited to share my first one.
The design team was sponsored by The Cutting Cafe.
They have some of the most versatile, "cuttable"
projects for making so many things.
AND, you can win some of their fabulous product.
Just check out this link at So Sketchy,
to get all the details on how you can enter!
Here's a card I made using some of Making Memories
Sabrina line of products.
Note the "thinking of you" sentiment
in the top left corner which comes from The Cutting Cafe's
All Occassion Word Set 1 Printable Stamps.
Super, super easy to use & the quality is wonderful!!

I also had a chance to work with some March layouts.
I'm finally getting back into doing some layouts,
but I'm not doing as many as I'd like each week.
Here's a layout I did using the March 2nd: 12x12 sketch.
Ironically, I did this layout & had it tucked away,
when I realized it went well w/this sketch.
So, I simply "undid" portions of the layout
& made it work w/the sketch.
I ended up liking it much better this way.

This layout uses the March 4th - 8.5x11 sketch.
I really like how this turned out.
I love to used naked chipboard,
so I didn't bother to do anything w/the tree or butterflies.
I did hand-stitch the butterfly trails though.

And that's all I have for now.
I'm hoping to work w/a few more sketches,
before the end of the week.
Have a blessed Wednesday!!

Card Patterns #5

Good morning!!
It's a beautiful sunny day
& I'm headed to bible study.
I finally had a chance to work with Card Patterns #5.
I loved this sketch,
but really had to think about what I wanted to do.
I ended up with lots of Jenni Bowlin
& a little flower/button/stick pin trick
I learned from this ever-so-talented lady, Danni.
If you've ever seen her work,
you understand how she's so inspiring.

Camryn is back at school today
& Ashlyn is doing good so far w/FCAT.
I hope you have a blessed day.

2Sketches 4 U - MONDAY!!

*edited to add my card for the regular sketch @ 2Sketches 4 U this week*
I had a few minutes to do a card for Laura's weekly sketch.
My little one does have an ear-infection
We were at the Drs. office over an hour
& she was miserable,
but she's finally sleeping
& hopefully antibiotics will kick in soon!!

It's Monday & we all know what that means!!
A wonderful sketch from Laura at 2Sketches 4 U.
We were generously sponsored by Starving Artistamps
& their stamps are wonderful.
I got some of the cutest monkeys, cupcake & owl,
from their Doodlefactory Valentine Remix.
Here's a picture of the 2 monkeys, owl & cupcake I received.

The other design team members got
backgrounds, giraffes, florals & girls, plus more.
They have such a wide variety to choose from.
I hope you will check them out
& don't forget about the prize being offered!!
This week was my turn for a bonus sketch.
I've never done a sketch before,
so this was very fun for me
& I hope you'll get a chance to play with it.

In other news,
I had a wonderful weekend of scrapping.
I didn't get as much done as I would have liked,
but it was nice, just the same.
This morning my 4-year old awoke w/an ear infection,
so we're waiting for her Dr. appt, as she is miserable.
I'll be posting some things I did this past weekend,
later this week, plus hoping to work with more sketches.
I hope this Monday finds you well & blessed!!

I never claimed to be a stamper....

I was reading Lea's blog one day
& she brought up something I had noticed,
but had never really given a term to:
there are 2 types of cardmakers;
stampers & scrappers.
I fall in the latter & am fine with that.
But, when I decided to tackle the Color Inspiration Challenge #44
& mix it with the current 2Sketches 4 U - Kazan #21 sketch,
I challenged myself to use stamps only
& no patterned paper.
I realize stampers use patterned paper too,
but I have seen so many gorgeous cards
created with nothing but cardstock & stamps.
It always amazes me how beautiful these cards are with so few supplies.
And if a stamper saw my stamp stash,
they would probably cry to see them so neglected.
So, before you see my card,
I only ask that you be gentle.
It's simple & very amateur,
but I have to work at getting better at this thing called stamping:)
So, here it is............"grow,"
& aptly name, I might add!!
And there I go with the derned butterflies again!!

Every month when I get my copy of Scrapbooks Etc.,
I lovingly browse each page & am completely inspired.
And, every month I say I'm going to go through the magazine
& scraplift every layout I find inspiring.
I never do it though,
until this past weekend.
I went upstairs & got busy.
I was pleased to get 4 layouts done that day.
I'm not above scraplifting....
it's refreshing, I feel good about getting so much done
& I love that others inspire me with their work.
So, the first 3 layouts were from March's issue,
with the first being a "loose" interpretation
but the other 2 being almost identical scraplifts.

This last one was taken from Simple Scrapbooks.
I used to be a very clean, line scrapper
& I love to go back to that every now & again.
I had taken this picture 2-years ago
& today, I miss these tennis shoes.
Why?
Because my 4-year old won't wear tennis shoes!!

And,
I'm so excited because my mil is getting the girls around 5:00 this evening.
So, I'll be able to scrap until about 9:30.
THEN, my parents are getting them tomorrow
to plant their Spring garden,
which means I'll have most of the day to myself again!!
I don't even know where to begin with all I can get done,
but I kinda want to take the time for "me."
So, we'll see what happens.
I hope your weekend is as beautiful as mine will be.

CPS 105

It's a glorious day here in sunny FL.
I reluctantly got out of bed
got the girls off to school
& immediately did my work-out.
Yep..........the challenge has been thrown down.
My sister has hired a personal trainer for 3-months
& that's the nudge I needed to start exercising again.
I'm not in it to lose weight,
simply to tone & be healthy.
I'm anxious to see what she looks like
come July when me & the girls make our summer visit.
I'm scrapping today.
Tuesdays are my "I'm not the taxi" days,
so I get to lounge around & scrap.
I'm hoping to get lots done
& I started with CPS 105.
I'm sure you're sick of seeing my butterfly cards
& I can't say why I'm so obsessed with them,
but I do love them in any shape or color.
Here I hand-stitched a border,
sewed sequin to their body middles
& added Cosmo Cricket Blackboard
with Pink Paislee letters.
There are no "black smudges" on the card.
I'm having a time w/my pics turning out decent.
So, I sat it in my windowsill,
which being a 2nd-story window,
isn't clean:)

That's all I have for now.
If I'm going to get anything done,
I need to scat!!
Thanks for visiting me!

new 2 Sketches 4 U sketcharoo!!

It's Monday,
which means a fabulous sketch,
by Kazan, over at 2Sketches 4 U.
This week, we were graciously sponsored by Scor-It.
We received a Mini Scor-It & some Teresa Collins
die-cut cards & envelopes.
FABULOUS product.
If you've never tried a Scor-It,
this wonderful tool makes scoring your projects a breeze
& these precut die-cut cards & envelopes are PERFECT
to use with the Scor-It for making a quick card.
Here's what the Teresa Collins die-cut sheet looks like BEFORE.

And below is the card & envelope
I made, using the Scor-It.

For whatever reason,
I decided to cut an opening in the card,
score the left side, so it would open
then glue the card together.
I also cut the flourish thingy out,
using an exacto knife
& then pop-dotted it for dimension.

Here's what the inside looks like:

I hope you will check out the rest of the design team projects.
I'm off to do that myself,
as I'm sure theirs are gorgeous, as usual.
I can't wait to see what each of you designs
with this weeks sketch!!
Have a blessed Monday!