Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #393

Good Monday morning friends!  Today I bring you a holiday card that I created for Freshly made Sketches #393.  I had so much fun with this one, and these clean challenges are really pushing me to create outside my comfort zone.  Normally I like a card that's full of bling and embellishments.  The clean sketches have made me realize that not every card has to be over the top, clean and simple has it's own beauty!  So here is the sketch:

And here is the card I created for the challenge.  I'm having fun fighting the heat by creating cards for Halloween and Christmas!

Materials used:

White cardstock base

glitter pink cardstock from The Paper Studio

Present print paper from The Paper Studio All Seasons 5 pad

Rubber Stamp from The Angel Company

Unknown rhinestone accents

As always, I'm here to help!  Please feel free to message with any questions or comments.

Using Supplies on Hand

I finally bit the bullet and purchased some alcohol ink markers several months ago. I've seen many beautiful cards created using them, and I wanted to try my hand.  Up until this point, they've sat on my desk, completely intimidating me.  While I didn't purchase the Copic brand ($6-$8 per marker), as they just aren't in my budget right now, I did purchase a lovely set of Spectrum Noir markers.  I don't have ALL the colors, but I do have quite a range.

Last night I finally sat down and dabbled, and I made this card.  While it's not perfect, and my technique needs LOTS of work to become semi-proficient at it, I LOVE The effect.

I used a stamp set that I had for years and never opened, a paper that has been floating around my craft room for months in a pile of other papers,  (Honestly, I think it's from a holiday paper pad - but it worked!), and some washi tape, which I've never used before.  I have rolls and rolls of washi, too many to count, however, it's just not something I reach for.  

Hopefully this is the beginning of a craft my stash era for me!

Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #392

I couldn't wait any longer to post a Halloween card.  I've been creating Halloween cards in full force this week, because it really is the only thing I have been interested in - LOL.  Still longing for cooler weather I guess. This one was created for Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #392.  

Thank you Jacquie, for a fun challenge!

I have to admit, I am totally into glitter and bling and all the things - ALWAYS, but as I've been creating cards for these awesome sketch challenges I've been participating in, I'm becoming a fan of the 'clean' look also.  I am absolutely in LOVE with the way this Halloween card turned out.  The paper was so cute that it's not muddled up by other things.

Materials Used:

white cardstock base

Orange heavyweight cardstock from Hobby Lobby

Jack O Lantern paper from DCWV Spooky Halloween Mat Stack

Recollections Rhinestones

Stampin' Up sentiment stamps from "Good Greetings" stamp set

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Sketch Saturday Challenge #567

It's been a few days since I've created much really, life and all getting in the way, and once again I'm coming down to the wire with my submission for Sketch Saturday Challenge #567.  I havebeen creating a few Halloween cards and sets for my new Etsy shop, Bean Street Paper.  (Get it?  A Crafty Barista and Bean Street Paper?  At least I thought it was clever!)

However, I chose to go in a different direction with my submission, even though all I can think ab out is fall and Halloween!  I chose a 4th of July themed card.  This is not a holiday that I normally make cards for, but I'm feeling relentlessly patriotic this week, so I thought "Why not?"

Here is my card:

Materials Used:

white cardstock base

The Paper Studio red glitter cardstock

The Paper Studio Navy textured cardstock

4th of July papers from The Paper Studio All Season's 5 paper pad

Stampin' up Celebrate stamp from "Good Greetings"

Blazing Red Staz on Ink Pad

As always, if there are any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

UPDATE: I'm honored to announce that this card was chosen as one of the top 3 for this week's challenge.

Sketch Saturday #566 - Masculine Happy Birthday Cards

This week I was tasked to make some masculine birthday cards for a client, so I made a few extra to submit to Sketch Saturday's #566 Challenge?  I have a huge creative block when it comes to masculine or manly cards of any kind, and also keeping it "simple" - so this one was a real challenge for me!  I am still fighting really hard not to add some rhinestones or enamel dots or something to this card. :)

Here is a photo of the challenge sketch from Sketch Saturday.

And without further ado, here is the photo of my masculine birthday card.

Materials Used

Echo Park Happy Birthday paper pack

Happy Birthday sentiment stamp from Stampabilities

Scooter stamp from an older Hero Arts clear stamp set of wheeled things.

Summer is here!

Summer is here - and it’s hot!  Every few cards I make, I throw in a Halloween or Christmas card so that I can think “cool” thoughts! How do you keep cool while paper crafting?

Wish You Were Here - Paper Players Theme Challenge #444

It's hot guys...so hot in NC.  We are supposed to have some rain tomorrow, so hopefully that will cool it off.  The theme for The Paper Players Theme Challenge #444 was "Summer Vacation", so that was so fitting! And thanks so much Ann for this awesome challenge!

I had a blast creating my entry for this challenge - I was going for a vintage pin up post card look.  I even considered stamping the inside with a post card stamp, so it looked like the back of a post card, but in the end I decided against it.  Once again I used no stamps, as I didn't want to take away from the picture I used, just a simple, classy (I hope) card.  It says "Wish you were Here".

Materials Used

Authentique Utopia Paper pack

Rhinestones from recollections

a dab of yellow stickles in the center of the flower

Once again, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask!  Happy creating!

Freshly Made Sketches #390

Again, pushing it down to the wire, here is my submission for the Freshly Made Sketches #390 card challenge.  I was very inspired, just had to carve out some time to do it.  I decided to go simple this time, and for the first time in a long time, I did NOT use any rubber stamps!  I decided that since I did tea last time, it was only natural to do coffee this time!  Here is the sketch for this week's challenge:

And here is my submission for the challenge:

Materials Used:

Echo Park's Coffee Paper Pack

Sequins from Miss Sparkle & Co

Wink of Stella - clear - to accent the whipped cream, but it's hard to see in the photo.

I hope you all are having a wonderful Monday!  As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask!