Sketch 4 - Card #10

It was cold and rainy in Cincinnati so dreaming of a vacation at the beach seemed like a good idea.  This version of the sketch pulls together the elements of the sea - blue waters, waves, starfish and fishing net.  Well, the pink net is a bit of a stretch but the card needed a subtle pop of color and the pink tulle seems to do the trick.

This card concludes Sketch 4 - only 2 more sketches to go and then we can move on to other things.  Yippee!

Sketch 4 - Card #9

They say diamonds are a girl's best friend.  So, if one is good, three must be fantastic.  Or, in this case, the layered look brings together the diamond shape and the colors from the pre-printed card front.

Sketch 4 - Card #8

The top note die cut from Sizzix is one of my favorite shapes because it is just the right size for an A2 card.  It works as a background element or can take center stage when stamped on.  The tag and flowers are from Accucut.

Sketch 4 - Card #7

I flipped the order of the sketch elements on this card and used a combination of pinks and black for a "girly" card.  Taking my cue from the printed paper, a daisy die cut (Accucut) and words of encouragement (verse stamp from Rosie's Roadshow) complete the look. 

Sketch 4 - Card #6

Building off of Card #5, I used the same flower ribbon slide and spring theme.  By adding an umbrella die cut (Accucut), I changed it to spring showers from spring flowers.  Using a pre-printed card is a good idea if you are having a creative block - it gives you a nice starting point to draw inspiration from.

Sketch 4 - Card #5

Oops - looks like I forgot to post a card yesterday so today you will get two posts.  The first is this friendship card, created in a pretty spring floral palette on a printed card.  A flower ribbon slide (Accucut) helps pull the theme together.

Sketch 4 - Card #4

Happy Saturday!  It's a good day to play in your studio, create your own card fro this sketch and just "be yourself".

Happy crafting!

Sketch 4 - Card #3

For this card, I reversed the printed paper effect and used a pre-printed card, layered with solid card stock for the square.  Repeating the dots on the card, I used circles instead of squares for the punched shapes and another button from my stash. 

I conserved my ribbon by running a flat piece through the label tag and wrapped just the ends around the back instead.  The ribbon knot is created using a much smaller length of ribbon tied just around the front piece.  While this only saves about 4-5" of ribbon, when you are making 40 kits it adds up!  If you are only making a few cards, its a great way to use up those small scraps of ribbons and fibers.  Don't be afraid to mix and match either.

It's kind of funny but I used to laugh at my friends for never being able to throw anything away but I realize that I've become just like them!

Sketch 4 - Card #2

A little pink anyone?  I love using printed papers in my cardmaking as it seems to make the color selection process a little bit easier.  As you can see from this card, I simply used the three colors that were incorporated into the printed design - pink, salmon and a soft butter yellow.  The "rule of 3" just keeps popping up in our artwork, doesn't it?  Not only did I use 3 colors, but 3 tones as well - a light, medium and dark. 

Again, the verse stamp is from Rosie's Roadshow.  I love all of the different sayings they offer and the size is just perfect for tags and label die cuts.

And, since I'm also an avid seamstress and tailor, I incorporated a little rayon seam binding in lieu of ribbon and a cute button for the flower center - both from my favorite tailoring supplier - Banasch on Red Bank Road in Cincinnati.  If you get the chance, stop by and check out the "wall of buttons."  But, don't blame me if you get carried away with your shopping . . . 

The flower came from a silk flower stem I purchased at Hobby Lobby.  I wait for a good sale and then buy a few stems and disassemble them. 

I love being able to co-mingle the various tools and supplies from my different hobbies!  Why not raid the stash from some of your other hobbies to see what you can come up with?

Sketch 4 - Card #1

Well, it's time to get back to the posting from the "Cards with Versatility" class.  This card is the first in the series from Sketch #4 and is an exact replica of the original sketch.  It seems that at this point in the class development process, we started to get a little more creative with our interpretation of the basic layout, as you will see in the upcoming cards.  For this particular version, I used a verse stamp from Rosie's Roadshow and the tag is an Accucut die.

Given the lack of interest in the challenge for the previous three sketches, I'm not going to post a challenge for the remaining three.  However, if you are interested in playing along, please let me know and I'll be happy to open up the challenge again.

Inchie Cards

Yesterday I taught an inchie card class featuring inchie stamps and card ideas from Artful Illusions at Stamp Your Art Out.  If you are an inchie fan or just love the stamps from Artful Illusions, you're in luck.  They are having a trunk show this week so hurry in before they're all gone.

The class was a lot of fun and I've even had a request to repeat the class.  So, if you really wanted to take the class but yesterday's class just didn't fit into your schedule, please send me an email or call the store to let us know if you are intersted and what your schedule preference is for a repeat performance.

Cards from Friends

In case you didn't notice, I've taken a break from posting the card ideas from my "Cards with Versatility" class.  I will resume posting shortly with the cards from Sketch #4 but today I wanted to share with you some cards that my students have shared with me (with their permission, of course).

The first card is from Nancy and is a very cute fall card.  Nancy punched the leaves from the cover of a Woman's Day magazine.  What a great idea for recycling magazines or those glossy catalog pages!
 

This next photo is courtesy of Claudine, an avid Copic fan.  The leaves card is from my Copic Fall Cards class; the second card is a Claudine original.  I'd say she passed with flying colors (yes, pun intended!). 

Thanks to Nancy and Claudine for sharing!  If you have a card you'd like me to post, feel free to send it along.  Or, join in the card challenge for Sketch #4, which will be starting very soon.

Sketch 3 - Card #6

This is the final card for this sketch.  As the weather continues to get colder and as the calendar pages flip, I thought it was appropriate to end this sketch with a card done in traditional Christmas colors.  What is you version of this sketch?  Post your entry by 5 p.m. ET tomorrow for a chance to win!

Sketch 3 - Card #5

I decided after the first few cards it was time for a change so I took a different angle (yes, pun intended) and placed the printed paper diagonally on the card front.  I also put the star in the "sky" and covered the verse with a lavendar vellum.  Be sure to get your entry posted quickly - only one more card to go before we move on to sketch #4.

Sketch 3 - Card #4

Another busy day, another quick post.  Only a few more cards left for this sketch so make sure you get your entry posted quickly!

Sketch 3 - Card #3

Today is a busy day so I've only got time for a quick post, a quick card and a quick recap of the challenge rules.

Happy crafting!

Sketch 3 - Card #2

Well, in case you are wondering why I haven't posted a winner for the 2nd challenge, it is because no one entered!  My crafty sister has encouraged me to keep up the challenges so I'm hoping one (or more) of you will enter this one! 

You'll find all the info you need to post your card here.

There are only seven cards for this sketch so your window of opportunity is a bit shorter than the last two sketches. 

Sketch 3 - Card #1

Time for a new sketch - the 3rd in the series.  The basic layout of this card is a stamped verse (Verses Rubber Stamps), matted and then layered with another strip of card stock down the left side.  A star embellishment continues the theme from the verse. 

Now it is your turn.  Let's see what you can come up with!

The rules are the same as for Sketch 1 and Sketch 2, which I've repeated below:

• The challenge is open to everyone
• Cards are to be based on the original sketch (if you didn't take the class, you'll have to figure it out on your own!)
• The winning card will be selected based on overall appearance and creative interpretation of the sketch
• You can post your challenge card beginning on the day the first card is posted; each challenge will end at 5 p.m. (ET) on the day following the posting of the last card (I'll note it in that day's posting) - approximately 10 days per card
• You can enter all six sketch challenges but you will be limited to one card per sketch challenge
• Use the "Mister Linky" link at the end of this posting to add your card or, if you're having trouble with the link, simply email your entry to craftjunkies@gmail.com

Sketch 2 - Card #10

Well, 2 sketches down and 4 more to go!  This card is a very loose interpretation of the original sketch but a cool card just the same.  I'm off to Marco's for my fall extravaganza make-it /take-it (and maybe a little shopping during the special sales???).

A die cut ornament (Accucut) and snowflake (Cuttlebug) make quick work of this card.

You have until 5p ET tomorrow (10/5/09) to post your entry! 

Today is World Cardmaking Day

 Have you made your card for to celebrate World Cardmaking Day today?  This is the card I created to celebrate today and the upcoming fall holiday season.  If you want to know how I did it, join me tomorrow at Marco's Paper in Dayton for my free make-it / take-it session from 2p to 5p ET.  We will be making this card.

If you aren't able to attend tomorrow, don't despair.  Check back in the next day or so and I will post the "how-to", complete with a supply list and step-by-step photos.

Sketch 2 - Card #9

This particular card was created in a spring theme but could easily be transformed for fall by simply changing the color scheme to oranges, golds, reds and browns.  The maple leaf was cut and embossed using a Spellbinders die.

There is only one more card to go for this sketch which means your challenge entry needs to be posted by 5p (ET) on Monday (10/5/09).  If you need the challenge details or the button for the posting, click here.

Sketch 2 - Card #8

While I like the original sketch with its layered ovals, I found myself drawn to the "staggered" approach for several of the card variations.  The butterfly (Accucut) is die cut from bronze Stardream card stock (available from Marco Paper).  I added a few pearls for the body and hand drew the "flight pattern" with a ultra fine line Sharpie marker.

Only a few days left to enter the sketch challenge!

Sketch 2 - Card #7

 You'll notice that this card is very similar to card #2.  Some times, simply changing the orientation of the card can provide a different perspective.  I used a different die cut border (Accucut) in a different color as well.

Today's blog and the next few will be fairly short as I've got a long list of classes to prepare for over the next few days.

Don't forget that Saturday is World Card Making day.  Why not use one of these easy sketches to get you started on your contribution?  And, if you make a spare, enter it into the sketch challenge.