Friday, January 29, 2021

Pinkfresh Studio January 2021 Challenge

 
This is a first for me--entering  a Pinkfresh Studio Challenge! Actually I'm working
in reverse. I made the card and saw the "Monthly Challenges" tab on the Pinkfresh 
Studio blog. Lo and behold, my card fits the month of August 2020 which was
FLORALS. Even the colors matched. Sorta.

 
Here's my slimline project.


I recently discovered Pinkfresh Studio's stamp and stencil sets after watching--who else?--
Jennifer McGuire demonstrate the layered stenciling and I was hooked. Sadly my Copics
are drying up and I'm too lazy to refill them so to have an alternative way of coloring
images was very enticing.


You can stamp the image, then use the stencil to fill in the outline, but I chose to just
stencil in the colors. So quick and easy! When it was time to die cut the image, I 
decided to stamp over the stenciling in gray ink so I could see the image better.

I used Pinkfresh Studio's Diagonal Stripe Stencil to add some light gray stripes on a 
stitched panel, then popped up the floral spray. A stamped sentiment and clear drops
finished off the card.

Have you tried layering stencils? Such a novel idea and a godsend for crafters
like me who are looking for alternative ways to color. Thanks for stopping by!



Thursday, January 21, 2021

CAS(E) this Sketch #405 -- The Last Sketch & A Giveaway!

Well, here it is. The very last CAS(E) this Sketch, and Chrissy made this one a
two weeker so you'll have time to enter several cards and play with us. Let's stretch 
out this last challenge as long as we can 😉
 
Sketch #405 happens to be a retro sketch from April 25, 2013. Sketch #25 was also 
my debut as a design team member so this post is a bittersweet one. 
 
 

Here's my take on it back then.



And here's the 2021 version.


I changed the orientation so the succulent pots would be upright. They were gold 
embossed and colored with Zig markers and a waterbrush. I adhered them on a strip
of patterned paper, then finished off with a gold embossed sentiment.

* * * 

To commemorate the last CAS(E) this Sketch, I'd like to have a little giveaway
of some duplicates that I've had in my crafty stash. Truthfully, I wish that I could send 
you all a little something for the visits you've made and the comments you left
over the past seven years.
 

Since I LOVE dies, I gathered five for my giveaway: 
 
  • Simon Says Stamp Thanks Frame
  • Memory Box Dreamy Butterfly
  • Memory Box Petite Umbrella
  • Frantic Stamper Large Hello
  • Frantic Stamper Quad Love 
 
To be eligible for the giveaway, just leave a comment here by Sunday, Feb 7th and I'll 
choose a winner and announce it a few days later. Easy peasy, right? And remember you 
have until Thursday, February 4th to share your card with us at CAS(E) this Sketch
Let's fill up the last gallery!
 
Special thanks to Chrissy, our fearless leader, for your patience and graciously
taking over the reins from Jackie Rockwell. You're the best! 

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Fusion Card Challenge -- COCOA

I'm joining the first Fusion Card Challenge of the new year!  


 
Here's my card. I played with both the sketch and the photo. I turned the sketch to a
landscape format, and picked up the plaid and mugs from the photo.



At first, the mug looked like it was filled with coffee, so I threw in some marshmallows for 
good measure.
 
Thanks for stopping by!
 
* * *
 

 
Edited to add: My card was chosen as an Honorable Mention! Thank you, Fusion! 


Thursday, January 14, 2021

CAS(E) this Sketch #404

It's the second to the last sketch for CAS(E) this Sketch. Meet Sketch #404
from our teammie Michelle.
 

To be  honest, I was stumped. I tried to find a banner stamp or even a paper airplane. 
No luck. So I squinted at the sketch and came up with this. Squint with me.

 
I wanted an excuse to use the Papertrey Ink bird after I saw Wanda Cullen use him
on her project. The leafy branches were cut from green card stock and inked and
highlighted. The gold embossed sentiment and rounded off corner finished the card.

Visit CAS(E) this Sketch to see how the rest of the team interpreted Michelle's
sketch and join us if you can. Link up your card(s) by Thursday, Jan 21st.
We hope to see you in the gallery!


Thursday, January 7, 2021

CAS(E) this Sketch #403

This week's CAS(E) this Sketch #403 is a little number from me.
I really don't remember how this sketch came to be but as always, use the
sketch as a guide for your interpretation. 
 
Here's the sketch.
 

 And here's my take on it. Yes, I used "that" embossing folder again.
I'm not gonna promise that it's the last time, though. 😉


I inked it with orange Distress inks then trimmed it and added two strips of
contrasting colors above and below it. The die cut "Thanks" and sequins
finished off the card. I may have over simplified it a little....

Visit CAS(E) this Sketch to see how the rest of the team interpreted the sketch, 
and for some news on the future of CAS(E) this Sketch. Link up your card(s) 
by Thursday, Jan 14th and we hope to see you in the gallery!


Sunday, January 3, 2021

Happy New Year and a Second Helping of CAS(E) this Sketch #402

Happy New Year, friends! Here's hoping that 2021 will be kinder to us all.
I'm sharing another card for CAS(E) this Sketch #402 since you still have a few
more days to play along with this three week challenge.
 
Here's another look at the sketch.


And here's my second take on it.

 
Can I just say that I'm in LOVE with Altenew's Beautiful Bergenia embossing folder?
It's a 3D folder which means you get a deeper impression and you really don't need
to dress it up--it can stand on its own.

I masked off a couple of diagonal strips and inked them with two shades of green.
then I ran it through the embossing folder and lightly brushed on orange and pink
Distress inks. I finished off with the CZ Design sentiment and some sequins.

Visit CAS(E) this Sketch to see how the rest of the team interpreted Chrissy's sketch
and play along with us using your new (or old) goodies!