A little birdie told me.....

Happy Fall...finally!!!  The weather has turned cooler here finally, so now we can actually feel as if the holidays are nearing.  And nearing they are, it's a mad scramble at my place to get ready to celebrate this week, so how about we share some inspiration to keep us in a crafty mood?  This week I have our last sketch of the month up at Sketch N Scrap!  Here is the sketch:

 

And here is my take on the sketch:

Supplies Used:  Patterned Paper: Pebbles, Inc and Fancy Pants; Card stock: Stampin' Up!; Ink: Stampin' Up!;

stamps: Stampin' Up!; sticker: Pebbles, Inc; enamel dots: My Mind's Eye; twine- Stampin' Up!

 

All the paper I used for this card except the lime green base was from my 100 paper challenge!  I am working my way through these 100 sheets of patterned paper trying to use them up by January 31st!  I have used quite a few but not as many as I thought I would and I have a lot of scraps left from cards I have made.  I am super happy with how this card turned out! I can't wait to give it to a friend that loves birds, I think she will love it!  You still have time to play along with us at Sketch N Scrap, we have four amazing sketches for you to try this month and a great prize.  Won't you join us?

Thankful for Good Eats!

Good morning everyone!!!  Are you ready for the big stuff your face day next week?  I'm not, it is in the mid 80's here and it just doesn't seem like the holidays should be right around the corner!!! Today I have the last layout sketch of the month up at Sketch N Scrap.  Here is the sketch:

 

Here is my take- I decided to do a festive Fall layout about food to get me in the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Supplies Used: patterned Paper- Simple Stories, Stampin' Up & Doodlebug Designs Flea Market; Cardstock: Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso & Bermuda Bay; Letter stickers: Thickers (big) & Simple Stories (small); Buttons: Stampin' Up; Punches: Heart-McGill; Scallop Circle & Circle- Stampin' Up; Washi- Stampin' Up; Stickers- Simple Stories

 

I had fun making this layout using 2 pictures I have struggled for some time to scrap.  I just couldn't get the papers to look right with it, but then my BFF gifted me this Doodlebug Design Flea Market collection and I was excited to see the brighter vibrant colors set off my photos perfectly!!!! I was so excited to dig into this line the minute I received it, but I felt a wee bit guilty about not using up some of my 100 patterned paper stash, so I compromised and dug out a background paper from Simple Stories that I think went perfectly with my new papers!!  Crisis avoided lol!  To learn more about my 100 patterned paper challenge go HERE.  I wish I could say I had used up over 1/2 of my stack, I should be at that point to be on track with completing my challenge by January 31st....but alas, I am way behind....maybe I can grant myself an extension?  Hey, politicians do it all the time why not me?!!!  I hope you will join us at Sketch N Scrap this month, we have a fabulous prize package and lots of inspiration on the blog!!!  Can't wait to see what you create!



Sketch N Scrap Card sketch #85



I hope everyone is enjoying November so far!  I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving!  We have our first card sketch of the month up at Sketch N Scrap!

 

And here is my take on the sketch:



Supplies Used:  Cardstock: Stampin' Up Whisper White; Patterned Paper: Stampin Up; embossing folder:

Cuttlebug; die cut (flower)- Pebblies, Inc; ink: Stampin' Up; Stamp: Stampin' Up; PL card- Unknown

 

This card came together so easily! I had these elements lying on my desk waiting to be used and I just played around with them until I came up with the card and then sketched it!  Even better that the embossed piece and the patterned paper were scraps left over from another project! Love it when that happens!  My desk is now free of scraps, time to get moving on my 100 paper challenge!!!!  I have been a slacker lately, there don't seem to be enough hours in the day and we are losing another hour this weekend- yikes!  I hope you will play along with us at Sketch N Scrap, we have an awesome prize package up for grabs!  Can't wait to see what you create!

Flashback Friday!

We are celebrating World Card Making Day ALL MONTH long at Sketch N Scrap!  Here is this week's Flashback Friday sketch by me:

 

I loved this sketch so much I made 2 different versions of cards using it. 

Version #1:

 

Version #2:



Supplies Used: Cardstock: Stampin' Up Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie & Gable Green; Patterned Paper: Pebbles Inc., Sticker: Pebbles, Inc.; Stamps: Stampin' Up; Ink: Stampin' Up Basic Black

 

These papers and stickers are part of my 100 patterned papers challenge! I am SLOWLY using up the papers in my stack!  I have always loved these papers but just never had the right project/layout for them, so I designed a sketch to help me use them up!  I only have scraps left now!  I just love these bright cheery colors and the use of the quote with a sentiment is such a nice look!  We still have one more sketch in honor of our World Card Making Day celebration all month long, so check back for the final sketch next Friday.  This month seems to have flown by, I have thoroughly enjoyed making so many cards and now my stash is a lot bigger so no more last minute card making for me for awhile. All my friends/family will hopefully get their birthday cards on time!   Make sure and check out all the wonderful inspiration on the Sketch N Scrap blog by our wonderful DT and our guest designer, we hope you will join us and play along with one or more of our sketches this month!  Happy creating,!

Sketch N Scrap Card #84

I am having such a great time making cards this month!!!  We have a really fun sketch for you today as our last sketch of the month (gosh, where did you go October?!) at Sketch N Scrap.  This amazing sketch is by Heather:

 And here is my take on the sketch:



Supplies Used:  Cardstock: Stampin' Up Very Vanilla & Rose Red; Patterned Paper: American Crafts;

Sticker: Amy Tangerine American Crafts; Ink: Stampin' Up Soft Suede; Stamps: Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grunge

 

I love how this card turned out! I had already made all the Halloween cards I needed for this year so decided to just do an everyday "how ya doing" type card.  Sometimes it's fun to surprise a friend with a just because type of note/letter!  I have had this sticker for years just sitting around and same with the papers so it was nice to use them up!  I was a bit unsure if I like the stamping or not but decided it's suppose to look random and grungy (which isn't my usual style) and I just glued it down and went with it!  Sometimes I think I am to picky and judgmental about how things turn out...so I just decided it might grow on me a bit after soaking in the grungy look and come to find out it did and now I really like it lol!  So don't be to shocked to see more of this style card in the future!  Make sure and head over to the Sketch N Scrap blog to check out all the inspiration from the design team this go round, there is PLENTY!  I will be back tomorrow with our Flashback Friday sketch as we celebrate World Card Making Day all month long this month, so tune back in for even more card fun tomorrow!  You still have until October 31st to play along with us at Sketch N Scrap, so make sure and join in the fun!  I can't wait to see what you create!

Card Sketch #83

I hope everyone is enjoying some wonderful Fall weather!  It is still a bit warm here but a cold front is on it's way!  We have a new card sketch up at Sketch N Scrap today.  Here is the sketch by Mandy:



And here is my take on this fun sketch:

Supplies Used:  Cardstock: Stampin Up: Crumb Cake, Soft Sky, & Basic Black; embossing folder:

Stampin'  Up; watercolor paper: Stampin Up; Ink: Stampin' Up: Soft Sky, Basic Black; washi tape:

Stampin' Up; linen thread: Stampin' Up; Patterned Paper: Crate Paper Flea Market; stamps: Stampin' Up Natural Beauty, sentiment- Lisa Bearnson kit

 

I think this sketch has endless possibilities.  Unfortunately I needed a sympathy card recently and I thought that these colors were so soothing yet elegant along with the dry embossing.  I had fun breaking out my neglected watercolor brushes and watercolor paper and am happy with how it turned out!  I know you will be blown away by all the inspiration from the DT members at Sketch N Scrap, so many different occasions and takes on the sketch you have got to go check it out HERE!!!!  Make sure and join us this month for a chance to win a fun prize!  Happy creating!

Sketch N Scrap card sketch #82



I can't believe that September is more then 1/2 over!!  This month has flown by.  While it is almost Fall we are experiencing triple digit temperatures in my neck of the woods and it feels more like Summer!  It's the perfect week to stay in and play with paper here.  I hope you are able to find some time before the month comes to a close to play along with us at Sketch N Scrap!  Here is my last sketch of the month:



And here is my take on the sketch:





Supplies Used: Patterned Paper: Echo Park Sweet Day; Cardstock: Stampin' Up Strawberry Slush & Whisper White; Stickers: sentiment & balloons Echo Park Sweet Day; Twine: American Crafts.

 

I love this line but have never used it!  What a shame...these sheets were part of my 100 paper challenge you can read more about HERE.  I still have over 1/2 of the sheets left and plan to use them again soon on an upcoming layout I have planned.  I hope you will find time to play along with us this month at Sketch N Scrap we have an amazing prize up for grabs this month! Happy creating!

Card sketch #81

Happy labor Day!  I hope your September is off to a great start!  I know many of you may have a long weekend which hopefully equates to more scrappy time!  I'm working today but I still managed to squeeze in some scrappy time this weekend!  We have our first card sketch of the month up at Sketch N Scrap today!  Here it is:

 

And here is my take on the sketch:

Supplies Used: Cardstock: Stampin' Up; Patterned Paper: Echo Park; Sticker: (bird) Echo Park; Ink: Stampin' Up Soft Sky; Stamps: Stampin' Up- Gorgeous Grunge for ink splatters; sentiment: Stampin' Up- rub on

I love the way this card turned out!  I needed a quick thank you card for a friend and I know she will love it, as she likes birds!  I am slowly working my way through my 100 paper challenge papers!  To learn more about this fun challenge I am doing after being inspired by my scrappy pal Lori go HERE.  Another 3 papers down!  I have to say these papers were not full ones, but were over 1/2 and so I was able to use most of them up by making 3 of the same card!  I didn't have a 3 bird stickers though so I used a punch for the other two (owl punch by Stampin' Up) but I realized I hadn't taken a picture of them prior to mailing them .....so I may have enough scraps to recreate one more card using the owl punch to show you soon!  I hope you will find time to play along with us at Sketch N Scrap this month, this card sketch is very versatile, you can substitute any shape for the circles or even use doilies, I think that would be cute!  Make sure and hop on over to the Sketch N Scrap blog to see all the fun examples by our DT.  Happy crafting!

Card sketch #80

Wow, August is flying by!!  Monday I am taking my baby to college!  We have been furiously shopping and packing this last week but I was able to carve out some crafty time somehow. Today at Sketch N Scrap is our last card sketch of the month by Heather. 

 I loved this sketch so much I couldn't stop using it! 

Here are my cards using this amazing sketch:

 Supplies Used:  Card stock: Stampin' Up- Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White & Daffodil Delight; Pattern Paper: Doodlebug Designs Hip Hip Hooray; Ink: Stampin' Up Basic Black; Stamp: Stampin' Up; enamel dot: Recollections

 

 Supplies Used: Card stock: Stampin' Up Pool Party Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight & Whisper White; Pattern Paper: Stampin' Up Cherry on Top & Scenic Route; Ink: Stampin' Up Watermelon wonder: Rub on: (celebrate) Stampin' Up; Stamps: Stampin' Up; enamel dot: My Mind's Eye

 

Supplies Used: Cardstock: Stampin' Up- Cherry Cobbler, Pool Party, Old Olive & Crumb Cake; Ink: Stampin' Up- Early Espresso; Stamps: Stampin' Up; Die: Lawn Fawn- leaf; Pattern Paper: Simple Stories Pumpkin Spice

 

I love how versatile this sketch is!!  You can make any kind of a card with it and no one would even know you used the same sketch!  I will be using this one time and time again I have a feeling!  Make sure and hop over to the Sketch N Scrap blog to see what the DT has done with this sketch, you will be inspired!!  And don't forget to link up your lovely work of art for a chance at our amazing prize pack!  You have until August 31st!!!!  Happy crafting friends!

 

Card sketch #79

We have our first card sketch of the month up over at Sketch N Scrap today!!  This sketch is by sketch artist Mandy!

 

And here is my take on the sketch:

 

Supplies Used: Cardstock: Stampin' Up- whisper white, strawberry slush, Pear Pizazz & basic grey; Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants & American Crafts; journal card: We 'R Memory Keepers; ink: Stampin' Up Pool Party & Basic Grey; Stamps: Stampin' Up Flower Shop; sticker: Echo Park (happy); punch: Stampin' Up - leaves, circle; enamel dot: My Mind's Eye; Circle cutter- Creative Memories

 

 I love all the fun circles on this sketch! I thought this flower from the Stampin' Up set Flower Shop matched the whimsical nature of the card with these fun circles and I love the way it ended up turning out!  I have a TON of these project life type cards and am trying to find creative ways to use them since I don't really do pocket style scrapbooking but I just can't resist these cards when I see them!  This particular one I received in a RAK and the paper is from a 6x6 paper pad I won as blog candy from a blog contest!!!  Make sure and hop on over to the Sketch N Scrap blog to see all the amazing cards the DT created from this sketch!  I hope it inspires you to play along!

Sketch N Scrap #110

Happy August!  It's blazing hot here in Texas and we are getting close to school being back in session! Yikes, the summer has flown by!!  Can't believe my baby starts college in a little over 3 weeks!  Today marks our first sketch of the month for August at Sketch N Scrap!  This fun and exciting sketch is by sketch artist Heather.

 

And here is my take on the sketch:

Supplies Used:  Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants Park Bench, About a Boy & Crate Paper Brook; Card stock: Stampin' Up Old Olive and Early Espresso; letter stickers: Paper Trunk & Thickers; enamel dots: My Mind's Eye; wood hearts: Studio Calico; punches: Stampin' Up- circle; dies: Stampin' Up- starburst framelits; flower: Crate Paper chipboard

 

This adorable picture was taken in June when the family was all together for the first time in almost 6 years!!!!  We got this great picture of the grandkids for my parents.  I made this layout and have placed it in a frame for my Mom's birthday gift this weekend (ssshhh...hope she doesn't read this!).  I am joining my friend Lori in a 100 paper challenge and I was able to use up 4 sheets on this layout!!  4 down 96 to go lol!  I have some scraps left over so look for them to be made into cards soon!  For more about my 100 paper challenge go HERE and learn more...I'd love for you to join me!  In the mean time make sure and hop over to the Sketch N Scrap blog to see all the lovely layouts the DT created based on this awesome sketch!  I can't wait to see what you create!

100 paper challenge!

Hi my name is Lisa and I am addicted to patterned paper!  I have been a bit afraid to admit to this even though I have known it for awhile now, but then my friend Lori posted about it on her blog and I decided to go "public" with my addiction lol! So here I am publicly sharing some of my stash and joining in Lori's 100 paper challenge!!!   Here is my stack of 100 papers....I think I should have photographed it with a ruler, it's about 4 inches thick!!!!

 

Here they are more spread out:



Many of these papers were in kits that were basically over half gone many with 1/2 sheets etc.  Those sheets I put in a big bag of scraps, keeping most of the scraps that I deemed large enough to use and the rest were tossed.  That eliminated almost an entire drawer of old kits that had sat there for over 3+ years waiting to be used! And you know what more space means....ROOM FOR MORE PAPER!!!  Even though these papers are older they are still ones I really like, they just don't have others from the same line to match them so I plan to make matches from my stash or those pictured here...I grouped them by color family to make that easier.  The manufacturers include: Jillibean Soup, Bella Blvd, Simple Stories, Fancy Pants, Basic Grey, Echo Park, Paper Trunk, Pink Paislee and Crate Paper.

Most I would say are over 4 years old! I hope you will feel inspired to join in the fun.  Lori found this challenge idea on a Facebook group she belongs to but I just am doing it for myself but would love company!  My goal is to use up all of these papers by January 31st 2017 and those not used up will be given away here on the blog!  So at least follow me so that in February you might end up having chance at some free paper (but I think many of you are thinking you don't need more right?) So feel free to comment below and let me know if you are joining in and leave me a link to your blog and I will follow you to keep up with your progress and encourage you along the way....make sure and do the same with me even if you don't join in...I need all the help I can get!  Then come February if successful I will reward myself with a few new paper lines I have saved in my journal to give me that extra bit of motivation I need to keep using up my stash! Happy creating friends!!!!

Sketch N Scrap card sketch #78

Wow, the summer is flying by!  As July nears the end we have our last sketch of the month up at Sketch N Scrap.  Here is the sketch by yours truly:

Here is my take on the sketch:

Supplies Used:  Cardstock: Crumb Cake & Not Quite Navy by Stampin Up; Patterned
Paper: Stampin Up; Ink: Not Quite Navy by Stampin Up; Stamps: Stampin Up Painted
Petals; Punches: Circle, Scallop & Star by Stampin' Up; bling: Queen & Co

I am trying to use up some of discontinued Stampin' Up Designer Series Paper so I can justifying buying more in the newest patterns!!  I have almost completely used up this pack, just 3 sheets left! I made 15 of these cards for my son to use as his thank you cards for the graduation gifts he received.  I hope the recipients liked them!  I plan to use this sketch again, these cards were super fast to make and easy to mass produce!  Just what you need when you are making 15 cards at once. I hope you will hop on over to the Sketch N Scrap blog and check out all the WONDERFUL inspiration by the DT, they have truly outdone themselves this go round!  Plus we have an awesome prize up for grabs so don't miss out!  I can't wait to see what you create!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sketch N Scrap Card #77

Good morning everyone!!  I've been busy making cards over the past weekend, I really enjoy using sketches to create my cards, makes them come together so easily and quickly!  Today I am sharing our first card sketch of July with you.  This amazing sketch is brought to you by Mandy!  I just love Mandy's sketches, they always result in some of my favorite cards or layouts!

Here is the sketch:

 

And here is my take on the sketch:

Supplies Used: Patterned Paper: Simple Stories; sticker: Simple Stories, enamel dots: Echo Park;

 ink: Stampin Up; stamp: Stampin Up; rub on (for you)- Stampin Up.

 

 This card came together so fast! I know I will use this as a go to sketch for future cards!  I hope you will be able to join us this month at Sketch N Scrap, besides this wonderful card sketch we have another layout sketch already up and one more card and layout sketch to follow in the next two weeks!  There is of course an awesome prize up for grabs so hop on over and check out all the amazing inspiration the DT has to offer.  Happy creating!

Sketch N Scrap #108

Happy July!!!! Boy Summer is sure in full swing in our neck of the woods!  I hope you are enjoying your Summer, I can't believe how fast June flew by!  Now it's time for another amazing month of sketches at Sketch N Scrap!  Here is my sketch for July 1st:

 

Here is my layout inspired by the sketch:



Supplies Used: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: Echo Park, American Crafts,& Jillibean Soup;

wood veneers: Studio Calico; stickers: Bella Blvd & Echo Park; Punch: Martha Stewart (butterfly) &

Stampin Up (starburst); enamel dots: Echo Park; pearls: Queen & Co; washi tape: My Mind's Eye;

tag: Elle's Studio; brad: Simple stories: Alphabets: Thickers & My Mind's Eye (little)

 



These are pictures of my sweet niece playing in my parent's background one Easter!  She has grown a bit since then but she was such a pretty princess when she was younger, always wearing a tiara and pink or purple!  Love those memories!  I hope you will find time to play along with use this month, we have an amazing prize to give away this month compliments of DT member Lori!! So hop on over, check out the prize, the inspiration and link up!  We can't wait to see what you create!

Sketch N Scrap Card Sketch #76

Hello friends!  I am back after a bit of a hiatus.  I took a month off to sit back and enjoy all the fun events leading up to my son's graduation on June 5th!  We had a ton of awards dinners, friends' graduation parties and end of year school stuff to attend and I wanted to just be able to snap pictures and enjoy this time with my son since it was such a monumental occasion!  If you are interested in seeing some of the pictures from his graduation you can see them HERE.  This is our last sketch of the month at Sketch N Scrap and I just love this fun card sketch by Heather! I LOVE flowers! Here is Heather's sketch:

 

 

Here is my take on the sketch:



Supplies Used:  Cardstock: Stampin' Up; Patterned Paper: Pebbles, Inc.; stickers:

Pebbles, Inc.; stamps: Stampin' Up; Ink: Staz On

 

I love the bright colors of this card!  These papers are ones I had been hoarding for years, they are so old it was before they made double sided papers!!!  It felt good to dig deep into my stash for this card.  I was able to make 4 of the exact same cards from these papers but since I only had one sheet of stickers the others used punched out flowers from coordinating cardstock instead of the flower stickers!  I can see my self using this fun sketch over and over and changing up the design a bit each time.  I think using stars would make it a great guy card!  I hope you will hop on over to the Sketch N Scrap blog to see all the inspiring cards made by our DT!!  You still have time to play along with us as well!  Link up any of your cards or layouts using our sketches by June 30th for a chance to win our prize this month!  More details can be found HERE on our blog!!!!  Happy creating! 



Proud Mama Moment!

It feels good to be back on my poor neglected blog!  I took a month off to celebrate and plan my son's graduation on June 5th.  It was a month full of awards ceremonies, galas, end of year concerts, banquets, friends' graduation parties and family celebrations that all culminated with THE big event- graduating from high school!  Here are some pictures of the event itself:

 

Here is the cake I had custom made for his graduation party:

 

I can't believe my baby is getting ready to fly the coop!  He will be off to college this fall to study engineering.  Seems like just yesterday I was wiping away a few tears as I left him at kindergarten!  Boy did this day feel like a million years away at that time!  Best wishes and good luck with your future endeavors to all of those from the Class of 2016!!!  I will leave you with the quote that was on my son's graduation party invitations:

Have faith in every step you take

Nobody else's footsteps lead exactly where you are going

Just keep marching on.