Freshly Made Sketches #703 and Color Hues #117

 Once again I'm entering one card into two challenges.

 Freshly Made Sketches #703 is brought to us by Karren and it looks like this.

 

Over at Color Hues Color Challenge, another Karen chose these autumnal colors

for Challenge #117 -- ORANGE and GREEN.

 

Here's my card. 

I had several leaves colored but I didn't have a card design in mind until I saw

Freshly Made Sketches #703. See the yummy texture on the leaf? It's made possible

by running the leaf through a 3D embossing folder. Isn't it amazing?

I framed it in the arch opening and adhered it to a 3D embossed card front. An 

Altenew sentiment finished off the card.

 

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

 

 

Freshly Made Sketches #701

 

Jen B brings us Freshly Made Sketches #701. I love a simple sketch!

 

 

At first I saw candles but didn't want to go hunting for the dies, so I went 

with a different set of leaves. And this time I used them as leaves.

 

I cut out three leaves from scrap pieces of card stock, along with the "veins" 

of each leaf. A panel was embossed with Altenew's Arched Foliage 3D

embossing folder and the leaves were adhered on top. I finished off the

card with a white embossed sentiment.

Off to link this up--it's been a while since I've been early! 

Thanks for stopping by!

* * *

Edited to add: My card was chosen as the Queen of Clean this week!

Thanks to Jen B and the rest of the FMS team!

Inspired by Challenge #350 -- FISH

 

I hemmed and hawed about sharing this card for Inspired by Challenge #350.

 

 

 Those fish plates caught my eye--aren't they pretty? Even though IB team member

Amy used The Stamp Market's Fintastic set, I was determined to use it, too. 

Small problem: I couldn't find the set.

On to plan B, something that resembled fish and it was Altenew's leaves to the rescue.

My second favorite set of leaves and I was pleasantly surprised that some of them

actually looked like fish!

 

To add to the fishy experience I used a new embossing folder (Underwater Waltz)

from Spellbinders that was waiting for this moment to be used. I colored the leaves in 

blues and even added some seaweed for good measure. An Altenew sentiment 

finished off the card.

P.S. Eventually I found the Fintastic set but I got attached to the faux fish so I'll 

save it for another challenge.

 

 

The Flower Challenge #105 -- Add Embellishments

 This month's theme over at The Flower Challenge #105 is to Add Embellishments.

 

I'm not as embellishment crazy as I used to be. I'd buy sequins and enamel dots in 

every color and size--not to mention buttons and ribbons. For my card, I went with 

my favorite clear enamel dots that I like to use, especially on florals.

 

I used the new Honeycomb Cover Plate and was inspired by the colors on a card by 

Kelly Lunceford. Flowers and leaves were cut from Altenew's Zero Waste Chocolate

Flowers Cover Plate and arranged over the panel.

I added the gold embossed sentiment and of course, the clear enamel dots that

remind me of water droplets.

Okay I'm off to link up my card. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Freshly Made Sketches #698

 

Kim brings us a color blocked Freshly Made Sketches #698.

But I didn't go that route. I got reacquainted with Tim Holtz's Leaf Fragment dies 

this past weekend and was inspired by Tim and some of his makers after watching 

his latest video. 

I was going to get inky and color the leaves but reached for a pad of patterned

paper with autumnal colors. After cutting out several leaves I inked around 

the edges with brown ink and gold watercolor ink and spattered some, too.

I embossed a panel with a 3D embossing folder and placed the leaves on top.

It was a little challenging to follow the sketch with such abstract shapes

but I did my best. An Altenew sentiment finished off the card.

Is it me or does the orange leaf on the right resemble a chunky carrot? 

Maybe I should have used another paper. Oh well....

Thanks for stopping by!

* * *

Edited to add: My card was given a Princess honor by Cécile! Thanks so much!

 

 

Freshly Made Sketches #696

 

Jen M brings us Freshly Made Sketches #696.

I kept seeing a beach towel and sunbather, but I wanted the background piece to be 

a bit more "transparent". In the end I used a Tim Holtz set from the Vault with 

a honeycomb embossing folder plus wildflowers.

My inspiration came from one of Tim's makers--Kulbir Kirkland (@luv2papercraft).

Her card had a "chain link fence" feel with the flowers scattered over top. I tried to

arrange the blooms but in the end it looks like I pulled out a bunch of flowers

from the ground and stuck them on the card. Oh well.

 

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

 

 

 

JUGS Mood Board Week #784

 

I'm having such a fun time guesting over at JUGS Challenge this month.

This week's Mood Board is probably the first time I've tried making a card based 

on the graphic. Because I had to. And I have to admit that it was nerve wracking.

 

 

Here's what I finally came up with.

 

 

When all else fails, postage stamps to the rescue. I found a paper pad of pretty florals 

and cut out a few then adhered them to postage frames.

The background was lightly inked and the stamps were popped up over it. I added 

some greenery and a flower and stamped the sentiment and gave a sigh of relief. 

I rather like how this card turned out. I hope I caught the gist of the mood.

Play along with this week's challenge if you can. Visit the JUGS blog for the all the 

details and deadline. Hope to see you in the gallery!

 

Freshly Made Sketches #694

 

My card for Judy's Freshly Made Sketches #694 came together quickly thanks to

bits and bobs that I found while cleaning up.

 

 

 

Some blooms from Pinkfresh Studio that were stenciled and cut were adhered

to the corners and a hummingbird completed the design.  A sentiment from

a favorite set from Altenew and the card was done. 

I forgot to mention that the embossed card base was also done and waiting 

to be used. For once I am linking up early and I'm not a hot mess! Yay!

Thanks for stopping by!

* * *

Edited to add: So honored to be chosen as the Queen this week!

Thank you, Judy for the honor!

 

 

 

The Flower Challenge #103

 

With just hours left before the deadline, I'm linking up this card to 

The Flower Challenge #103 which is to add embossing--either heat or dry--to your 

card, and still keep the focus on flowers.

 

It took me a while to decide whether or not to enter the challenge, hence the

under the wire submission. I just found the embossing folder which I'd misplaced after

it arrived and I decided to finally use it.

I planned to do some ink blending over the entire panel, but it would have covered up 

the beautiful embossing so I left it white and focused on the die cut piece. I've always 

admired those who color their embossed images and since this was a small area, I thought 

I'd give it a go with my Copic markers.

Gosh, that was stressful! Between my bad eyesight (with glasses!) and markers

that needed refilling I barely managed to color all the flowers and leaves.

But if you squint, it looks pretty decent.

I finished off with a sentiment from Altenew and popped up the piece and called

 it done. Have you ever colored an embossed panel? Maybe if I had steadier hands 

and wasn't in such a rush to finish I wouldn't have freaked out.

Thanks for stopping by and listening to my angst!

Freshly Made Sketches #690

Today's card for Freshly Made Sketches #690 gets a prize for the most

remakes and layers, ever.

 

 

I think it's because of the elements on the top portion of the sketch which 

I thought about flipping several times.

 

 

 I've seen the new bird collection from Spellbinders and ordered Oscar which 

I knew would not arrive in time. Then I remembered a Small Die of the Month set

and dug deep to find it.

I watched Tina Smith use a circular element which I liked because it has a 

cage like feel. I assembled the parrot which has a jillion pieces from its tail to 

the wing and those teeny tiny feet.

After choosing the colors for the striped portion of the sketch, I ran the card

 front through an embossing folder. I added the greenery and sentiment to the 

circular element along with the parrot and branch. Done! Finally.....

I'm thinking this card isn't exactly "clean" and I should have simplified the

design but it was crunch time. I'm off to link this up! Thanks for the visit!

* * *

Edited to add: My card received the Princess status from Kim.Thanks so much, Kim!

 

 

Freshly Made Sketches #689

 

Cécile brings us Freshly Made Sketches #689 and I was excited to make a square 

card, although it's not a requirement. It's just been a while since I've made one.

 

 

 

I substituted a wood slice from The Greetery for the square element and added 

some splatters and a few Waffle Flower Dry Flowers that were colored with Zigs 

and a water brush. 

The 5" by 5" card base was embossed before the wood slice was adhered. For the 

sentiment I found an oldie from Right at Home to finish off the card.

Thanks, always, for stopping by! 

* * *

Edited to add:  Honored with the Princess title from Jen B. Thanks so much Jen and

Freshly Made Sketches!

 

Inspired by Challenge #338

 

Squeezing in a card for Inspired by Challenge #338 which is all about

LADYBUGS.  I semi panicked because I looked through my supplies and there

were NO ladybugs except for teeny tiny ones. 

Then I spotted a ladybug on an Alex Syberia set and decided to use it

since it was a nice size. Here's how I was inspired.

I had a wicker basket embossed card base already assembled so it was just

a matter of finding greenery and a sentiment. There were some extra

leafy branches from a previous project and I placed them diagonally

on the card.

The ladybug was cut from C&9th card stock and assembled. I found a bottle

of Glossy Accents and applied one coating on the bug. An MFT sentiment

finished off the card.

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

Freshly Made Sketches #687

 

Freshly Made Sketches newest team member, Verena, introduces her first 

sketch design this week. So many possibilities using that crescent shape.

 

Here's how I was inspired by her sketch.

 

I knew that I was going to use Altenew's Zero Waste Chocolate Flowers Dies and 

let the foliage to create the crescent shape. The beauty of the Zero Waste Die 

is you can cut out a ton of blooms from white card stock and use inks to

color them as you wish.

I decided to use the embossing folder which resembles a chocolate candy bar 

and can also stand on its own. I finished off the card with a sentiment from

My Favorite Things.

I'm feeling so organized this week, linking up way earlier than usual. Yay, me!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

    P.S. If you're interested in the Zero Waste Chocolate Flowers Kit, it is now back 

in stock after being OOS for months. Out of all their Zero Waste dies, this one 

is my fave and you'll need to purchase the entire kit, but it's worth every penny!

 

* * *

 

Honored that my card was chosen as a Princess for the challenge.

Thanks so much, Kim!  

 

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!

* * *

Edited to add: Narelle gave my card a Princess status! Thank you so much!

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 #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!

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!

* * *

Edited to add: My card was given the Princess honor by Judy! Thanks so much!

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!

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