Freshly Made Sketches #686

 

Kim brings us Freshly Made Sketches #686 that I initially thought looked "friendly" 

 then struggled with measurements. I was never a star pupil in Math.

I cut a panel of the forest green card stock, then a kraft panel with a circle cut

through the center. I then ran the kraft panel through an embossing folder and 

assembled the flowers through the opening. A Waffle Flower sentiment

finished off the card.

 

I wanted to showcase the flowers from Waffle Flower that Shauna Todd colored on

the Foiled Fox blog. I used my faithful Zigs and a water brush whereas she used

Distress reinkers. It was a fun, stress free coloring session that I'll be doing again..

Thanks for stopping by!

Inspired by Challenge #335

 

A belated Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Moms, Moms to be,

and anyone who's a Mommy figure--and that includes Dads! 

 

I had a few mechanical issues (my Big Shot's handle slid off) and while I managed to 

put it back together, I needed a tiny screwdriver to tighten it.

And the only person who knew what I needed and where it was.....

was at the golf course. Long story short, hubby helped tighten the tiny screw

and I was back in business. Yay!

* * *

 

 

 

The challenge theme for Inspired by #335 is Basket of Flowers and here's 

how I was inspired.

 

Initially I was going to use a basket but changed to a basket weave panel. I cut the panel 

on a diagonal for interest and swiped white pigment ink over it to bring out the texture. 

I filled in the area with assorted flowers and leaves and stamped the sentiment

from Pinkfresh Studio. I rounded off the bottom corners to further mimic a basket.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

JUGS Word Week #774 -- FRUIT

 

The graphic for JUGS Word Week #774 caught my eye. FRUIT! I happened to be

looking through my Waffle Flower inventory and spotted some products that

have never been opened. I seem to be finding that a lot lately.

 

 

 I watched the talented Caly Person make a couple of fruity cards and decided 

on a watermelon card.

 

 

 Watermelon happens to be a favorite in our household and we are lucky

to have some locally grown ones that will make their debut soon.

I inked up some Watermelon card stock from C&9th with Poppy ink that

faded to the rind. I followed Caly's idea of a two toned rind and adhered some

black seeds. I finished off the card with a white embossed sentiment.

 

 I do wish it read "you make my TUMMY smile", but HEART was close enough.

I was also going to trim the card into a pie shaped "slice" as Caly mentioned

but it was an afterthought that would have had me splitting seeds.

Maybe next time.

Thanks for stopping by!

* * *

Edited to add: My card was chosen as the Winner of the Week! I'm so

honored! Thank you JUGS!

 

 

Freshly Made Sketches #684

 

This week, Jen M went old school and brings a fun sketch for Freshly Made

Sketches #684 with so many possibilities for the circular element.

 

 

I chose PTI's spring nest and had a wreath in mind, then settled on an unoccupied  

nest. I stamped a sentiment in the middle and added some spatters. A strip of kraft 

card stock was run through a linen embossing folder and I didn't have a suitable

fancy edge die, so it went without.

I'm "early" for a change, so I'm off to link this up. Thanks so much for stopping by!

* * *

Edited to add: Honored with a Princess pick for my card. Thank you to

Verena and Freshly Made Sketches!

Freshly Made Sketches #683

 

Jen T brings us Freshly Made Sketches #683, a sketch she designed to go "halfsies"

with a panel that allows for lots of creative options.

 

I found an old Moda Scrap paper pack and chose a sheet of florals and one with a 

watercolor wash. I cut them per the sketch and ran the left panel through an embossing 

folder then went over the surface with a sanding block to make the sentiments stand out.

I spattered gold paint over both panels and decided it looked a little too plain so I 

reached for Pinkfresh Studio's Fluttering Butterflies washi tape and found a pink 

one that was pretty close in color to the paper. 

The butterfly and branch were adhered to the card base and I called it done.

 

I'm really liking Altenew's new 3D embossing folders which saved me the trouble of 

choosing a sentiment, then worrying about its placement.

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

* * *

Edited to add: Honored that my card was a  Princess pick! Thanks so much, Jen B

and to the gals at Freshly Made Sketches!

Inspired by Challenge #332

Squeezing in under the wire, my card for Inspired by Challenge #332--

inspired by color.

 

 

 

 Such a pretty color palette, I love the modern rainbow color order.

I was looking at my stash of washi tape, then decided on some dies from

my beloved Paper Smooches--the skyline.

I diecut the buildings from watercolor paper and messy colored them with Zigs

and a waterbrush in rainbow order. I added them to a card base and stamped

the simple sentiment. Done! No embellies, no spatters. Done.

 

 And now with about a day left, I'm off to link this up.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

* * *

Edited to add: So honored that my card was chosen as the winner of the challenge!

Thank you, Inspired by Challenge!

 

Color Throwdown Challenge #831

 

Tammy brings us Color Throwdown Challenge #831 with a summery color palette 

of sage green, yellow, and coral.

 

I pulled out an older Greetery stencil set and the hardest part was finding an ink color

in my ink inventory that was closest to sage. 

 

Concord & 9th's eucalyptus was a close match and the image was die cut after

stenciling. I ran a panel through a lace doily embossing folder and adhered it to a 

card base. The bouquet was adhered and partially popped up for some dimension.  

After stamping the sentiment I felt that the card needed something so I assembled 

a loopy bow and adhered it near the stems. 

I'm not 100% pleased with my sage green and now I know I'll need to invest in

that color. Thanks for stopping by!

Freshly Made Sketches #681

 

 Amy brings us a fun sketch for Freshly Made Sketches #681.

I thought about using a banner die or pocket stamp but in the end, I went rogue.

 

I pulled out Altenew's Mega U die and covered it with my fave Altenew washi 

tape and substituted it for the image. After running the card front through a  

dotty embossing folder--again!--I adhered the alpha and sentiment.

I was going to leave it as is but as a last minute decision, I added some greenery

from my Waffle Flower order that just arrived. 

 

Ok, I'm off to link this up. Thanks, always, for stopping by!

* * *

Edited to add: Honored that my card was chosen as the winner for FMS #681!

Thanks, so much, Amy!

 

 

Color Hues #107 -- Orange & Teal

 

Jules has chosen "football colors" for Color Hues Challenge #107. They remind

me of a tropical summer.

 

 I decided to go "leafy" with a favorite set of leaves from Altenew.

 

 After die cutting several different leaf styles from white card stock, I inked 

them in orange and the closest color I had to teal. I ran a card front through an

embossing folder, then mounted four leaves over it.  

I usually like odd numbers but chose four leaves because I wanted equal 

opportunity for both colors. I added a reverse sentiment strip and finished off 

with some sequins.

Since I mentioned "summer" I may try a second card for the challenge. 

But don't hold me to it. Thanks for stopping by!

JUGS Anything Goes Stencil Week

 

It was not my intention to enter JUGS Anything Goes Stencil Week #768

but while cleaning and organizing my stencils and dies I came upon some that

have never made it out of the packaging. Oh my.
 

 I watched Carissa Wiley's YouTube tutorial on using Concord & 9th's

Cottage Garden Stencil Pack (in my favorite colors!) I decided to give it a try. 

I used the exact same colors as she did because, lo and behold, my inks were

unopened, too. I'd  been using the minis but since the images are larger, I used

the larger pads. Now I'm thinking they need a bit of reinking. 

After stenciling the image I ran it through a dotty embossing folder and 

finished off with a sentiment from Spring Print Sentiments and Die. Clear

drops finished off the card.

I think I have a day or two before the deadline so I'll link this up and get back

to organizing. Thanks for stopping by!

Color Hues #106 — Lemon & Lime

I love the springtime colors for Color Hues Challenge #106--LEMON and LIME. 

 

 

 I have an abundance of lemon and lime stamps and stencils but decided to use

a butterfly for my card.

Two butterflies were die cut from yellow card stock and run through an embossing

folder. I created a hinge on the back piece and adhered the two pieces together

to form a free standing card.

Green ink was brushed on to one side of the butterfly for the "lime" color. Flowers

and leaves were cut from colored card stock and adhered to the front of the

butterfly. A sentiment was stamped in gold ink and trimmed and tucked into

the flowers. The card was finished off with white paint spatters.

Thanks, always, for stopping by!

* * *

 

Edited to add:  Honored that my card was chosen as a Top Few Runner Up.

Thanks so much, Color Hues!

 

 

 

Inspired by Challenge #328

 

It's been a while since I've joined Inspired by Challenges and thought I'd

enter their latest challenge--#328 Inspired by Pillows.

 

How cute are those pillows? Here's how I was inspired.

Yes, it's the pillow in the foreground with the pink blooms. I can just feel the 

texture of the chenille looking flowers.

 

Reverse Wonky Rectangles (I wish Spellbinders would bring this one back)

was cut and run through the dotty embossing folder then topped with

assorted blooms and leaves. I decided to frame the card at the last

minute and finished off with the sentiment and pearls on the flowers. 

 

 Ok, off to link this up. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Color Throwdown Challenge #829

 

I'm nearly down to the deadline for Color Throwdown Challenge #829--blue, lime green,

and green.

I remember starting a card with somewhat similar colors but never finished it

because I was sure I was stenciling it wrong. 

 

At first I didn't like how the leaves and berries overlapped each other. Using blues

and greens looked better than when I used red and green which left brown spots.

This time because the two colors blended well, I thought it fit perfectly with the

challenge colors. 

 

I ran the panel through a quilted cover plate, added the sentiment and a few

blue sequins. And a bit of spatter for good measure.

 

I'm off to link this up. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Freshly Made Sketches #678

 

Hello, hello!

I'm back and still feeling a bit jet lagged but happy to be making a card for  

Freshly Made Sketches #678 courtesy of Cécile. It's an artsy one, isn't it?

 

 I wanted a grid pattern under the dragonfly and resorted to inking some color over 

an embossed grid surface.

 

 

I spattered some green ink then adhered the dragonfly. A Honeybee Stamps 

sentiment and green gold sequins finished off the card. 

Traveling is fun but it's always nice to come home, even if it meant tackling three

batches of laundry--just for two people!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

 

Freshly Made Sketches #676

 

Here's Freshly Made Sketches #676 courtesy of Kim.

 A lot of possibilities for those circular elements but I ended up going citrus and 

happened to have several Greetery Citrus Slices already premade. Yay!

I embossed some texture before adding the frame and fruits. I tucked in a few leaves

and finished off with the simple sentiment. 

I'm pleased as punch when I can use premade goodies on my card, especially when

it's down to the wire to enter AND I remembered where I put them. (Wink!)

Thanks so much for stopping by!

The Flower Challenge #100 -- Add Circles

 

 The Flower Challenge is celebrating its 100th Challenge! The theme for this

milestone is Add Circles and several DT members are generously offering prizes 

to add to the festivities!

 

I was going to make a shaped card but the design was "side heavy' and it was stressful

 trying to balance the card, so I decided to add the element to a card base.

 

I used Altenew's Zero Waste Chocolate Flowers cover plate and cut out all the 

flowers and leaves from white card stock. The inks were applied using the color 

palette inspired by Rachel Arribas (@rachelrdesigns). I didn't have the exact

 Pinkfresh colors that she used but it was close enough and I was happy with it.

 

I layered two circle dies and made a frame before adding the flowers and leaves.

I stamped the sentiment and ran the card base through a dotty embossing folder 

then popped the circular element on top.

The challenge has just started and if time (and my grand kids!) permits, I may 

enter a second card before the deadline. Thanks for stopping by!

* * *

Edited to add: Honored that my card was chosen as the winner for the challenge!

Thanks so much, The Flower Challenge!

Freshly Made Sketches #675

 

Freshly Made Sketches #675, courtesy of Linda, is open to so many possibilities.

 

I took the botanical route.

I found a discontinued Pinkfresh Studio die set (Dainty Blossoms) and put my 

Zig Kuretake markers to work. Following the sketch, I embossed a panel, then 

adhered the stems and leaves.

I wanted a strip sentiment so I reached for  Simon Says Stamp Reverse sentiment with 

quite possibly the smallest font I've ever seen.

Off to link this up--I'm early for a change. Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

 

 

Time Out Challenges #283 -- Birthday Celebration CASE the Designer

 

A while back, my card was chosen as the winner for a collaboration challenge with 

Time Out Challenges and JUGS but because of time constraints I wasn't able to join them 

for a guest spot.

  

Fast forward to the end of 2024 and Stephanie Lanzalotto asked if I would participate 

in Time Out Challenges CASE the Designer and I humbly accepted the invitation to be

their muse.

 

 

 Time Out's Challenge #283 marks their 11th Birthday Celebration and yes, there's a 

generous sponsor and prize! The winner of the challenge will receive a $25 Store credit

 to Gina K Designs and you have until March 12th at 5:00PM London time to enter. 

The theme is BIRTHDAY and I went with a favorite card sketch from Freshly Made

Sketches, courtesy of Karren.

 

 

I used my go to craft mediums--stenciling and embossing and rather than a birthday 

sentiment, I went with an all occasion "celebrate" so the card can be used for other

celebratory occasions as well.

 Please visit the Time Out Challenge blog for all the details. Join the celebration, 

CASE my card, and you could be shopping at the Gina K store! 

Thanks to Stephanie and the TIME OUT team for the invitation to be your muse. 

I can't wait to peruse the gallery and see the entries!

                

                   

               Supplies used:

               Altenew Flower Bed Stencil

               Simon Says Stamp Vine Canopy 3D Embossing Folder

               Concord & 9th Defined Bundle

           

            

 

 

Freshly Made Sketches #674

 

Jen M. brings us Freshly Made Sketches #674.

 

Here's what I came up with using products from five different companies.

Luckily, I had (and found!) MFT's scalloped edge dies and trimmed out a floral

design from patterned paper. After adhering it to a brown card base, I ran the panel

through a dotty embossing folder.

I added the sentiment and finished off the card with an extra Pinkfresh Studio butterfly

that was hanging around, and some iridescent sequins.

Not sure why I used a dark card base. Could be because it's gloomy and cloudy here today.

Ok, off to link this up. Thanks, always, for stopping by!