SOUS "Hello"

For this week, we followed a sketch by Leah Schaeffer at SOUS.

I must say, at first this sketch was a real challenge for me.  I had no idea WHAT I was going to make.  But then I reached for some October Afternoon paper and it just started coming together.  Sometimes, that's just how it works. You really have no idea what you're doing and the next thing you know, you've made something adorable.  Sometimes too, my work can be "duds".  But I hope this inspires you to sit at your desk, just let it flow and watch what happens!!!

So here's "HELLO"

The PP is all by October Afternoon.  The title was designed on my SCAL program and cut using my cricut.  The bird is a fabric sticker by Heidi Grace Designs.  I also used machine stitching.

Quilled Horses

Quilled Horses:

A couple years ago, I was commissioned to make cards with quilled horses on them.  I guess she like them cause a couple months ago she asked for 4 more.

I really should name these "War Horses" cause it was a battle getting them going.  First of all, I seriously procrastinated getting started.  Then, when I was ready, I couldn't find my books for designing the horses anywhere!!  A few weeks later they turn up - in a very unlikely place!!!  I spent one morning making the horses and the next day making four cards.  They are all made very similarly with different PP.  I followed the same sketch by Mojo Monday for all four of them.

These two are my favorite pictures of them.  TFL!

PP by MME 6x6 pack Union Square.  I'm nearly out of this pack!  Loved working with it.

PP by MME 6x6 pack Sunshine.

I used to make cards with quilled critters on them all the time.  I stopped doing that for several reasons.  One, mailing them is a challenge.  They get smashed in a regular envelope.  Secondly, I discovered I really enjoyed paper piecing more (plus they do not get crushed).

Scraplifted

Scraplifted!

I had a special order for 6 cards.  4 cards were to have quilled horses on them - you'll see that later.  The other two were to be "birthday" cards.  One for a "girl" and one for a "boy".

I was stumped on the "boy" card cause I knew she didn't mean little boys. More like a "guy".  So I finally dug thru my pins on Pinterest and voila!!  I am totally thrilled with how it turned out.  Yep, I completely lifted a card someone else had made.  But that's ok.  Sometimes (a lot of times) you just have to do that in order to get moving on projects.

I changed things up a little bit by adding stitching and no embossing.  TFL!

The PP are all by October Afternoon.  The stars and flags were made on my cricut using SCAL.

SOUS - thinking of you

August 1st SOUS Project:

Thinking of You

This week at SOUS we were to follow a sketch designed by Debbie Burns.  Here's the sketch:

The dog is an svg die cut by Treasure Box Designs.  The PP is by MME 6x6 pack "sunshine".  Textured the background paper with embossing dots thru my cuttlebug.  The dog is also sitting up on pop dots.

This card was also made for a coworker of mine whose friend recently lost a beloved pet.  If you have been following my blog this whole time, you already know that I work with animals and tend to gravitate towards making cards with a critter on them.  Plus, when I get a special order, it's what my gals want!!

Slip n' Slide

Summer is here and all the wonderful backyard fun that goes with it.  This is our first year with a slip n' slide in our back yard.  Usually, I'm at least a year behind when making LO's.  BUT, these were such fun pictures that I didn't want to wait to make a LO about it.  Also, I rarely put more than one photo on a LO so this one was a bit more challenging for me personally.

And yes, putting those new found skills with my camera hard at work.  Taking photos outside doesn't seem to be my problem.  Now indoor pictures . . . another story.

PP by Bobunny's Sunkissed collection.

Sprayed glimmer mist on the Kraft paper for extra effect.  Love the colorful title and have used those particular letters several times with other projects too.

I found the clouds on sale at Michael's while shopping with my sister.  The squares are fussy cut from a 12x12 pp paper.  Yep, machine stitched on this LO.

I fussy cut the splashing water from Bobunny pp.  It took a little bit of arranging to figure out where to put it.  TFL!!

Discover Yourself

Hey everyone!!  I recently made this LO at my sister's home, all the way down in Texas.  If you are an avid scrapper, then you know that packing your "scrappy" stuff can be an ordeal.  Lucky for me, all I really needed to bring was the basic idea for a LO.  My sister's scrappy stash provided the rest!!!  Title letters, brads and buttons all provided by her stash.  Thanks Sis!!

But the real meaning behind this LO is not quite so obvious.  Yep another beautiful picture of my kid, which I personally proudly took.  This LO is about me, using my new found skills with my camera.  TFL!

PP is by October Afternoon.  I'm know I followed a sketch but really can't remember where from now.

If you can read my chicken scratch . . . it talks about me taking an online photography class.

Showing off embellishments by October Afternoon.

Title letters provided by my sister's stash.

Brand New

New DT member for SOUS!!!

My first card for "Stuck On U Sketches" is a card dedicated to cat lover's.  This cat is from a group file at Treasure Box Designs.  I like to make my cards "generic".  That way, when I need a card in a pinch I can just pull it out and use it for the occasion I need it for.  For example, when I originally made this card, I was only fulfilling my obligation for SOUS.  Now, I can use this card for any person I know who loves cats.  Birthday, thinking of you, etc. etc.  Either I will put a small sentiment down on the lower right or leave the front blank and put something on the inside of the card.

The sketch I was following from SOUS had stitching on it.  Of course, as you may know, I add stitching to nearly every one of my projects.

I am slowly mastering chalking my die cuts.  I hope to show you, my wonderful followers, some amazing details to die cuts with just chalk.

The cat is on pop dots for more visual effects.  The button gives the card a nice added flare.  For me, less is more.  I love what others do with all the pretty embellishments, but can't seem to make it work for my projects.

Daddy is the Best

Daddy Day:

I meant to have this LO done by Father's day.  Well, I was waiting on the print of this very special photo.  So, I finished this LO a week late - but it's still special.  The photo was taken at Cave and Rock by the Ohio River. 

LO made with Bobunny Mama-Razzi and Et Cetera line.  The back ground paper is Kraft paper.  I used a LO on my favorites' board at SB.com for inspiration. 

Here you see me using a template by TCW to make the diamonds.  I used Tim Holtz's distress stain colors walnut and barn door.  The inscription is a rub-on.

Not quite up close look at some machine stitching and various other embellishments.

Sweet Cheeks

Sweet Cheeks:

This was a fun LO to make.  It came together quickly with the help of a great sketch!  The PP is by Bobunny ad Lib collection.  Perfect colors for my little boy.  This picture has been hanging out in my "need to scrap this box" for years!! Sometimes a picture is just waiting for the right moment.  You know, the right PP, sketch, mojo . . . etc etc. 

I love Pinterest!!  Great way to organize all the things you love, like sketches and LO's for inspiration.  My sister got me hooked on it and the funny thing is that it took me "a while" to get started.

Mushroom is a die cut from the CC Create-a-Critter.  The face is by Peachy Keen Stamps.

The flags are hand-sewn using the sew easy tool.  I use my sewing machine for basic stitches but love the sew easy for more complicated designs.

Happy Father's Day!!!

I made this card for my dad.  Neither my husband nor my father are "tie-wearing" guys so I refused to make that kind of card.  The card is actually inspired by my dad helping us out while we moved to a new house.  He took care of our cat and fish for us.  The card is also made entirely of scrap papers except for the black base.

I followed a sketch by Mojo Monday.

The cat and fish bowl are Treasure Box Designs cuts.  "For Dad" is tiny tags stamps by Kimberly Craft Spot.

Fly

A typical day at the park.  But with a bright and beautiful smile on my son's face as Daddy helps him with the monkey bars.  Of course this LO boasts stitching, but my newest craze is flags.  I've avoided flags on LO's and cards for a long time but now I simply don't know why.  They are a fabulous addition to any boy LO. 

This LO is inspired from a sketch by scrapbookandcardstoday.

The PP is from Fancy Pants: Summer's End.  The title is a cricut die cut from Sentimentals (I think).  The butterfly was provided from a swap I participated in a while back.

The dragonfly is a rare embellishment purchase of eksuccess brands.  Some more close-up of the stitching.

Teacher's Card

Pres-School Teacher's Card:

Today, my son "graduates" from preschool (they are even having a ceremony) and we are going to miss his no-nonsense but lovable teacher, Ms. Dee.  This card was inspired from a pin on pinterest.  My son will be going into kindergarten next year a wonderful student thanks to Ms. Dee!

As far as creativity, this card was incredibly simple to make.  Don't forget the glossy accents to make the eyes "pop"!!

PP from Basic Grey.  Diecuts are from Cricut: Create a Critter.  Faces from PeachyKeenStamps.

Summer Sunshine

I completely love this picture.  It was taken at a time when I barely knew how to turn on my camera.  I'm better with my DSLR now so next time we are at the beach, I hope to stay long enough to get that perfect silhouette picture.  The funny thing about my LO's now is that my current style is perfect for using scraps.  Except I didn't use scraps.  Of course I have an overabundance amount of this PP "Heat Wave" by American Crafts.

I also played around with spritzing the white BG with Tattered Angels: Denim Blue.  I think I did ok, considering I've never tried this technique before.  I did not make any of my own embellishments for this LO cause I have a box full that needs to be used!

LO inspired by this sketch by sketch support.  It even tells you how wide to make the strips and margin measurements.  Also, the site gives you pointers on how to change the sketch to suit your needs.  Fabulous for when you are new or even in a hurry.

Added some gems for a little extra bling.