Freshly Made Sketches: Joyful Christmas

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by the fabulously creative Cécile and here’s what I did with it!

 

I didn't try to find anything overly creative with this sketch because I knew I had beautiful ornament dies that I wanted to use. I picked an ornament from The Greetery mostly because I knew I also had a fabulous background by them that was in my not-yet-used stash. I love the classic look of the two of them.

I struggled with a sentiment. I do have Christmas sentiments by The Greetery but they were either big die cuts or tiny little stamps and just didn't fit. I came upon this old set from Papertrey Ink that had the look that fit the card, used the word "joyful" to fit my bright and cheerful colors, and fit well around the ornament. I think I struggle with finding the right sentiment more than anything else on a card but this one came together for me!

I hope to see you playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Papertrey Ink Words to Live By: Joyful
Dies: The Greetery Jumbo Curiosity Teardrop Ornament, Twinkle Background, Papertrey Ink Joyful, Honey Bee Stamps Stacking Art Deco Labels
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Granny Apple Green, Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight, My Favorite Things Pineapple, Concord & 9th Neutral Foils Paper Pack
Ink: Taylored Expressions Cilantro

Freshly Made Sketches: Give Thanks

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Jen Brum and here’s what I did with it!

I saw the sketch and I remembered that I had a simple little die set from Stampin' Up named Label Me Grateful dies. I got it for the dainty little leaves and acorns but hadn't used it yet. It was clearly all coming together perfectly so I created a Thanksgiving card even though I technically have all that I need. Just preparing ahead for next year I guess!

I cut out the elements in the same colors that I used a few weeks ago on this card. I really liked the blue in the mix (and also the cardstock was still out on my craft desk!) I used a wood plank embossed background and then lightly rubbed it with white to make the grain stand out.  

I hope to see you playing along with us this week at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Stampin' Up Arrange a Wreath (sentiment)
Dies: Stampin' Up Label Me Grateful dies
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Old Olive, Lost Lagoon, Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, Crumb Cake and Summer Sun (long retired)
Ink: Stampin' Up Pecan Pie
Other: Stampin' Up Pinewood Planks embossing folder

Freshly Made Sketches: The Heavens Rejoice

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Verena and here’s what I did with it!

   

 

I had a totally different card in my head when I started. I already had the dies out to do a big poinsettia bouquet in the bigger space and a vertical sentiment. But as I was looking for the last few things that I needed, I saw this die that's spent a long time in my not-yet-used stash.  I figured if I didn't use a die that filled about 1/3 of the left side of a panel - just like the sketch - I might as well never use the die. Of course, it's not perfect, I don't have anything like the red panel on my card. I did try adding some panels behind the angel so I could have that edge but I just liked it too much all by itself.

I hope to see you playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Penny Black Promise of Hope
Dies: Tutti Designs Angel Corner
Other: Simon Says Stamp Shimmering Starfall Embossing Folder

Freshly Made Sketches: Blessings

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by me and here’s what I did with it! 

I got the leaf die years ago when I saw a number of the design team samples included wreaths. I loved the way this sprig of leaves could build up to a layered wreath. One of the samples was in the same shape as the wreath on my card. I never got around to building any layered wreath so as I was designing this sketch, I put it together to build a wreath. I did toy around with some other sprigs but none of them rounded just right for this wreath. Although I added a banner on the sketch, when it came time, I didn't want to cover any of the leaves so I used a nicely-shaped sentiment.

I also used one of very favorite background dies from a long-gone company. I use it often but in all recent cards, the other elements on the card hide the cute little heart. I immediately thought of this die when I realized that on this card the heart would be shown off beautifully. Then I went one step further and added a sweet little bird right by the heart!

I hope to see you playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches!

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: The Greetery Blessed Blooms and dies
Dies: Simon Says Stamps Olive Leaves and Layered Bird Bunch, Lil Inkers Stitched Woodgrain
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, Lost Lagoon, Old Olive and Crumb Cake
Other: Stampin' Up Streaked Dots

Freshly Made Sketches: Trick or Treat

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Linda and here’s what I did with it!

I'll be honest. I do not need another Halloween card (although I do have someone to give it to) but I was flipping through my stash and saw these three already-made pumpkins left over from a past project.  How could I possibly walk by a trio of pumpkins when the sketch has three circles on a hill?!!  

Given to whom it is going, I had to find a somewhat snarky sentiment. I have a shockingly large collection of boozy Halloween sentiments that could have worked but I didn't have a small enough beer mug or wine glass for these guys which was needed if I wanted to use the sentiment. (I'm very matchy-matchy that way.)  So I just went with a childhood classic sentiment although I will admit to being really bothered by the fact that pumpkins don't have feet to smell!

I added "wind" in the background then corrugated the ground to give it some interesting texture. I was thrilled to find a big moon in another set that also has stitching just like the pumpkins. It all came together easily and I'm thrilled those sweet little pumpkins found a place!

I hope to see you playing along with us this week at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Concord & 9th Playful Pumpkins & dies, Photoplay Trick or Treat Halloween & word dies

Dies: Poppystamps Whittle Rainbow Unicorn (the moon), Photoplay Sentiment Strips

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Highland Heather and Crushed Curry, Taylored Expressions Candy Corn

Other: Taylored Expressions Twirls and Swirls EF, Stampin' Up Mini Corrugated 3D EF

Freshly Made Sketches: Miss You

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Jen Mitchell and here’s what I did with it!

 

The idea for this card came to me almost immediately when I saw the sketch (which is rare for me!) I originally intended to use an actual banner, as per the sketch, instead of a branch then emboss/stamp/cut a woodgrain into it to look like a branch. I couldn't make that work without it looking super heavy which was not what I wanted for this card. I had the little bird picked, then needed a sentiment and when I saw "miss you", it just seemed perfect for the single bird.

I hope to see you playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST
Dies: Kristina Werner with Concord & 9th Big Type Greetings, Spellbinders Sweet Birds on a Branch, Taylored Expressions On a Limb - Branches and On a Limb - Leaves
Other: Spellbinders Head in the Clouds Embossing Folder

Freshly Made Sketches: Peace, Hope & Joy

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Jen Timko and here’s what I did with it!

At this time of year, anything round looks like a wreath to me - whether it be a fall, winter or Christmas wreath. I was determined to be different with this sketch, but obviously I couldn't get past the wreath. I tried, but as I was flipping through my not-yet-used stash, I started realizing this card could be a real stash-buster with multiple products, including at least one of my many wreaths, that could be moved into my regular stash after I used them. (As I decrease my not-yet-used stash, I can enjoy shopping, although it could be a year from now before I make a big enough dent to bring too much new stuff home.)

Since I didn't challenge myself with the wreath, I decided to jump out of my comfort zone with colors - or at least with the greens. It's a big step for me but I'm sure it won't be noticed by anybody else. I decided to use the cooler greens that I never use - Stampin' Up's Shy Shamrock and Shaded Spruce. I am always about yellower greens; Granny Apple Green is my favorite. I'm looking at the picture and thinking I could branch out of my comfort zone more often! 

I hope to see you playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST
Stamps: Pinkfresh Basic Banners: Christmas
Dies: Poppystamps Stitch Wreath and Nordic Bird Bunch, Sizzix/Tim Holtz Christmas Minis (the ornament), Pinkfresh Basic Banners
Cardstock: Stampin' Up Shaded Spruce, Shy Shamrock, Flirthy Flamingo, Poppy Parade, Real Red
Other: Studio Katia Red Hearts