*Freshly Made Sketches #713*

 I'm off to start my work week in about an hour, but had a little time to play in my craft room after getting myself ready for work.  Sometimes I spend that time getting some blog posts ready, but I did those the other day when I wasn't feeling overly creative which left me with some time on my hands today.

I saw the new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches while I was scrolling my phone after my shower this morning and had an idea in my head before I even finished styling my hair!  It was tough to use such a large piece of this gorgeous pattern paper, but I am IN LOVE with how this card turned out (and besides, I purchased 3 packages of this paper LOL!)

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler; Bazill gold mirror

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Spellbinders Christmas Blooms

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges:  Freshly Made Sketches #713

*The Paper Players #764*

 I actually created three cards in the last two days just for the sake of playing,  I struggle to make cards other than my design team requirements because I seem to rely on a prompt of some sort.  And with a design team obligation, I can't just say "nah, doesn't speak to me" so I have to force myself to figure out that prompt.  And when I'm behind on design team duties, I don't even have time to look at other challenges.  Christmas cards come easily to me so my design team obligations for this month were knocked out pretty darn quickly!

So I decided to play with a clean and simple challenge at The Paper Players... Their prompt is your favourite holiday image so I pulled out my favourite snowflake to make my card.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Night of Navy; Lawn Fawn Holographic

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Snowflakes; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday
*Embossing:  Sizzix

*Embellishments:  Pinkfresh Studio Iridescent Clear Drops

*Challenges:  The Paper Players #764

*Just Us Girls #801*

I spent a good chunk of today out of the house with appointments, but managed a little time in my creative space.  I should probably start on my December design team duties, but I couldn't resist playing with another challenge (or maybe two)...

Tonight I'm sharing the card I made for the current challenge at Just Us Girls...  their challenge prompt is winter.  I chose to go with some snowflakes to make a Christmas card.  And since winter is dark, I also chose to use black and whtie!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  Echo Park Christmas Salutations

*Stamps:  MFT Christmas Wishes

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  unknown snowflake;  MFT Christmas Wishes

*Embellishments:  Pinkfresh Studio Iridescent Clear Drops

*Tools:  Perfect Layers
*Challenges:  Just Us Girls #801

*Freshly Made Sketches #712*

 I have had a whirlwind last few days with work, new windows being installed at the house (and while I wasn't home for most of it, it still felt very disruptive), bowling, a bowling tournament, putting my craft room back together (after the windows were finished), laundry, cleaning after the window install and an impromptu Grey Cup Party at my house tonight, I am feeling very discombobulated.

I really wanted to create today once I got my craft room back in order... but there were other little things that needed my attention.  Tomorrow will be a write off of a day for creating so hopefully I will find some time and mojo on Tuesday.

Anyway, between loads of laundry and running to the store and prepping some food, I created a card following the current sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Cherry Red; Bazzill gold mirror

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Tidings of Christmas

*Stamps:  MFT Hand-Lettered Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Slim Strips

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Embellishments:  Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Pen

*Challenges:  Freshly Made #712

*My Favourite Instagram Hop*

 This week on the My Favourite Instagram Hop, we are playing with our favourite card sketch.  I have used this sketch many many times and I just love it!  I love how the front panel isn't a full panel and that the sentiment goes over the edge of the front panel.  

The sketch I am playing with is the April 2022 Sheetload of Cards.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Bazzill gold foil; Stampin' Up! Cherry Red

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Tidings of Christmas

*Stamps:  MFT Christmas Wishes

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  unknown tree

*AAA Colourful #22*

 There is a *gorgeous* new colourboard at AAA Colourful that starts today and runs for the next month.  

I took the simple red, white and gold from this image to create my Christmas card... and I pulled out that gorgeous star die I used last week as well!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler; Bazill gold mirror

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Tidings of Christmas

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Tidings & Trimmings; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  AAA Colourful #22

*Addicted to CAS #296*

 A wonderful new clean and simple challenge is coming your way today at Addicted to CAS...

I decided to make my sweet element some candy cane stripes, along with a cute little sentiment...  

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Real Red

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Peaceful Prints

*Stamps:  Catherine Pooler Nice List

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  MFT Stitched Rectangles; Waffle Flower Nesting Circles, Additional Circles

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Addicted to CAS #296

*Sending Sunshine Instagram Hop*

 Every month, I participate in the Sending Sunshine Instagram Hop...  we each share a card we've made that we hope will lift someone's spirits.  I had to get myself out of Christmas card mode to create my card for today... I used some pretty papers and a simple sentiment.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Night of Navy

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Paper Blooms

*Stamps:  Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Vines & Roses

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*{BYSHC} Sketch #63 Take 2*

I love the simplicity of this months' sketch at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers. You can choose to make a more detailed card, but it totally fits in with my clean and simple vibe!

For this card, I did go a little less clean and simple by using an all over patterned paper for my biggest layer.  I love using papers from a paper pack because they always coordinate so well!  The elf elements were in my bin of extras, already coloured up and ready to go!

Card Info

*Paper:  Photoplay Gnome for the Holidays

*Stamps:  Catherine Pooler Nice List; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Versafine Clair Nocturne; Copics

*Dies:  Catherine Pooler Nice List

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers  #63

*CAS on Friday #322*

 For this challenge at CAS on Friday, we are looking to see your rainbow themed clean and simple cards.  Since I am fully in to Christmas card mode, I decided to play with a rainbow Christmas card.

I started with a scrap of cardstock and drew lines in rainbow order across it with the chisel end of my Copics.  I adhered some white snowflakes to the front and then chopped down the panel to fit my card.  I added a quick sentiment and declared it done!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Granny Apple Green

*Stamps:  Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Copics

*Dies:  Taylored Expressions Simple Strips; Simple Strips Backer; Picket Fence Studio Winter Snowflakes

*Challenges:  CAS on Friday #322

*World Kindness Day Instagram Hop*

 Today, a group of us are hopping on Instagram to mark World Kindness Day...  a day to share a little kindness wherever you go.

I had some fun with the black, white and gold colour palette again... but this time using a set of rainbow dies!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Bazzill gold mirror

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! True Love; MFT Black & White Stripes

*Stamps:  Pinkfresh Studio Vines and Roses

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  MFT Stitched Rectangles; Stampin' Up! Sunshine Vibes

*This or That Instagram Hop*

 This week on the This or That Instagram Hop, we are choosing between "top" or "bottom".  I chose to keep my design on the top half of my card.  I did this card as white on white... I am almost as obsessed with white on white as I am with that new paper I've been using LOL!

Card Info

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Clean Line Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  unknown

*Embossing:  Tim Holtz Snowfall

*The Most Wonderful Time of the Year*

 This is another of the cards I created this past weekend when I had no design team commitments to work on...  once again following the sketch at Just Add Ink!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler

*Paper:  DCWV Dec 25th

*Stamps:  Kraftin' Kimmie Magic of Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Spellbinders Vintage Layered Ornaments

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink #773

*CAS Colours & Sketches #573*

 There's a very holiday inspired colour challenge this week at CAS Colours & Sketches... although you could choose to do something completely different with these colours if you wanted to!

I chose to use these colours in sparkle cardstock.  I found three different shaped tree dies in my stash and made a super simple card.  

Card Info

*Paper:  assorted glitter papers

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Clean Line Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Catherine Pooler Jolly Trees; MFT Stitched Rectangles

*Tools:  Misti

*Challenges:  CAS Colours & Sketches #573; Just Us Girls #800; Simply Clean and Simple

*Atlantic Hearts Sketch #655*

 Happy Monday, my friends....  there's a new sketch today at Atlantic Hearts.  It's a super simple sketch, in my opinion... with so many ways you could execute it.

First, the sketch...

While I have used the same colour palette as several other cards I've shared recently, I did use different paper.  

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Bazzill gold mirror

*Paper:  Stapin' Up! All is Bright

*Stamps:  Penguin Palace Magical Christmas Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Penguin Palace Magical Christmas Sentiments

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Atlantic Hearts #655

*Time to Play*

 I've had a lot of creative time lately, but not a lot of time to just play with other challenges or my own ideas.  I've been busy with all of my design team obligations.  Last weekend, I finished off all of my design team creations for November so I have some time on my hands to just create this weekend.  I needed to get ahead of the curve because we have new windows being installed in our house later this week and at some point (Tuesday or Wednesday) I will have to move everything from near the window in my craft room... and lord knows how long it will take me to get things back together.

So yesterday was a day off for me (I get one Saturday off a month) and after running a few errands (and before heading to the pub to watch my football team win the Western Final), I created a few cards...

Today I am sharing one that I'm entering in to the challenges at Just Add Ink and Inkspirational.

Card Info

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Paper:  Photoplay Tulla & Norbert's Christmas Party

*Embossing:  Stampin' Up!

*Dies;  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Tools:  Brother Scan 'n Cut

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink #773; Inkspirational #354

*CASE It Instagram*

 This month, for the CASE It Instagram Hop, I chose to CASE a beautiful card by Kim Fee.  First, let me show you her card...

I was drawn to this card because of the colours... I love those gold and black and white stripes, the black accents and the white die cuts.  I changed my card up by flipping the layout, using a square instead of a circle, using a black mat intstead of stamping on a black piece and finally, by making mine a Christmas card with fir branches instead of leaves.

I love how this card turned out!  Thanks for the inspiration, Kim!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Bazzil Gold Foil

*Paper;  Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas

*Stamps:  Mama Elephant Jingle Greetings
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Spellbinders Christmas Blooms

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges:  Just Us Girls #800; Simply Clean and Simple; Addicted to Stamps & More #505

*Build Your Stash Instagram Hop*

 This month, we are playing with gift card holders or gift tags for the Build Your Stash Instagram Hop.  I had some scraps left over from some other recent cards and decided to make a couple of Christmas gift tags.  I don't tend to make a lot of tags any more... maybe this is the year that will change.

Card Info

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas

*Stamps: Poppy Stamps Art Deco Christmas

*Ink:  Catherine Pooler Gold

*Embossing:  Stampin' Up!

*Dies:  Waffle Flower Nesting Circles

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*This or That Instagram Hop*

 This week on the This or That Instagram Hop, we had to choose between stars and hearts.  I chose to go with stars so that I could use this gorgeous star die.  I bought this set because of this star and keep forgetting I have it in my stash!  I love how it looks in the gold mirror cardstock!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Bazzill gold mirror

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas

*Stamps:  Penguin Palace Magical Christmas Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Penguin Palace Magical Christmas Sentiments; Stampin' Up! Christmas Trimmings; Waffle Flower Nesting Circles

*Embossing:  Stampin' Up! Soft Waves

*Challenges:  Inkspirational #353

*Time Out Challenges #301*

For the new challenge at Time Out Challenges, we want to see your cards for your favourite holiday to celebrate.  You can choose any holiday you want... just be sure to let us know the holiday in case it's kind of obscure.

My favourite holiday to make cards for is Christmas... I love my stash of Christmas supplies and am always happy to add to it.  This year, I purchased this fabulous Stampin' Up! paper and I've been using it A LOT.  I bought two more packages of it so I wouldn't run out.  I just love the patterns in this package!  For my card today, It's all patterned except for my stamped and die cut sentiment.

This card came together using some scraps from other projects I've been working on... they fit the mini slimline size just perfectly!

Card Info

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Challenges:  Time Out #301