{BYSHC} Sketch Challenge 29

 As we are here on Christmas Eve Eve, I want to take a second and wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Thank you for all your comments and support all year! Let's all have an amazing 2023!

My card today was all part of the November 2022 Whit Kit from Unity Stamp Co. Each month there is a new kit that comes out. It usually includes a paper pack, a coordinating stamp set and then some goodies! The paper is called Watercolor winter, the stamp set is called Ornamental Greetings. Included in the November kit was also the ornament die set to create the cute ornament along with some acrylic sheets and silver metal microbeads to create a shaker. I haven't yet gotten a shaker to work so I'll keep practicing until I get it right! For this particular card I chose one sided paper instead of two sided. What this left me with was another set of triangles (reverse set up of course) to create another card.

Maybe this one will be the shaker!! But what a fun sketch! You still have time to post your entries for this sketch! Good luck to everyone and we'll see you back in 2023!

{BYSHC} sketch 29 and Unity Advent day 12

 When you can combine three of your favorite things into one card....WINNING!!

{BYSHC} Sketch, Unity Stamp Co. and COFFEE! For my card I used the current sketch #29, paper from Unity Stamp Co. (coffee lovers - didn't find it on the website) and day 12 from the current advent calendar! The sentiment is also Unity....from Planner Girl Stay Cozy.

{BYSHC} Sketch 29

My cards are about to get sent off to family and friends, and time to get started on next years stash of cards! Not sure if this one will go this year or next, but it will surely (hopefully) bring a smile!

The sketch took me a little while to wrap my brain around, but once I did..........WHOO HOO!

White card base, kraft mat. The patterned paper is by Echo Park, called Gnome for Christmas. It sort of felt like cheating, because the center sentiment was die cut from one of the sheets that had big sayings! But nonetheless, I did figure out the sketch! The tricky part for me was the diagonal cuts. Two-sided paper works best because that way you only have to cut one sheet! In this case I used a two-sided sheet and cut it to 3 3/34" x 5", THEN cut corner to corner! Glitter enamel dots by GinaMarie Designs!

Thanks for visiting! Leave me some love to know you were here! <3

 

One Goal has been REACHED!

 Can't believe I haven't shared this!!! So I've been a papercrafter for quite some time. Started in HS when I would put scraps of notebook paper in my sticky page photo albums (*gasp) to share the story. Then I moved onto actual scrapbooking....10 albums or so later, it's been put on the back burner for now, but I still have all my scrapbook stuff that I've collected. I started making cards several years ago and I can attest that my style and technique and finished products have greatly improved since the first one.

But this year I was determined to at least attempt and submit cards for publication. Through some online friends I had seen them post about being published in Creative Scrapbooker Magazine. So I did some research and found the information to submit and went about do so. This was in April-ish. Well low-and-behold I was contacted about 3 of my cards being chosen for the December 2022 issue. 

OMGOODNESS!!!!!

Well, here is the issue I'm in and to say that I'm excited is an understatement! Now I want to do it again and again!!!

Here are my cards/pages!

Stay tuned......I may just do it again!! 

Advent calendar day 3

 Well things have definitely picked up around the house......and I don't mean picked up in the crafting department! Sadly! Too much to do, not enough time to craft! So on day 3, I created one card (so far), but lots of ideas for more!

Started with a piece of regular 60lb white cardstock. Stamped the day 3 stamp (poinsettia) all over with versa mark ink. Sprinkled the white embossing powder over and heated. Once cool, I ink blended all over with Lumberjack Plaid Distress Oxide. After I wiped the excess ink off of the embossed images I sprinkled some water on to create some distressing. When that wasn't enough contrast I grabbed some Yasutomo Pearlescent watercolors. After adding quite a bit of water, I sprinkled some white all over. Unfortunately (what you may or may not be able to see) I didn't wait long enough for it to dry and it smeared in a few spots! And it also got everywhere! LOL There is some on the black background panel too! I used the Unity Stamp Co. Scallops and Rectangles (which appears to be sold out currently) for the background panels and the scallops and circles for the focal image. The sentiment comes from Gracielle Cheery Christmas. I added some white sparkly enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs and some foam tape!

Advent Calendar Day 2

 It's day 2 of the Unity Stamp Co. Christmas Advent Calendar. 

Today's creation is based on BYSHC Sketch 17. Papers are from My Minds Eye Christmas Wish. Stamped the cute little otter and bird (day 2 stamp) onto watercolor paper. Die cut it and the vellum piece behind using the Unity Stamp Co. scallops & circles nesting die set. Colored with Tombow ABT markers in soft colors. The sentiment is from the sentiment kit called ....heart of Christmas. I made it into a tag with some red jute twine. Everything is popped up with some foam adhesive.

I stamped three images at the same time so that I could keep creating throughout the day! LOL In between laundry and errands!

Card #2 features the paper pack from the November 2022 Whit Kit Called watercolor winter and sketch 26 from BYSHC. I also used the new Greetings of the Season sentiment dies and the scallops & circles nesting dies! Lots of Unity on this one!

Two today.....maybe more another day!

Advent Calendar Day #1

 The much anticipated Unity Stamp Co. Advent Calendar starts today! I'm always so full of eagerness and energy on day 1, but as we get closer to Christmas, the time to create becomes less and less. Nevertheless, here's to day 1 creativity!

The opening each day is the best part!

First one was created using the Tin Tile Background Stamp from Unity. Stamped with Vintage Photo Distress Oxide. Die cut using the scallops & rectangle nesting dies (which appear to be out of stock currently), then ink blended on the edge with more vintage photo and black soot. Added some black and tan twine. Cut the image and the mat circle (which is gold metallic) with the scallops & circles nesting dies. Popped the circles up with foam adhesive and added some red enamel dots from GinaMarie Designs. The design is loosely based on the BYSHC Sketch 28 (I'll add the sketch below).

Next I channeled my inner Tenia (DT member at Unity). Stamped the image and embossed with Nuvo Embossing powder in Gold. Again cut the circles using the scallop & circles nesting dies. Added a strip of black and white stripe washi tape, a scrap of green patterned paper edge cut using a ruler die that was in the September 2022 Whit Kit. Added some staples and some gold enamel dots (Gina Marie Designs).

And last but not least is this one. Based on BYSHC Sketch 7 I die cut the red rectangle using the scallop & rectangle nesting dies. Eyeballed the dimensions on the patterned paper (had to do it a few times). The rectangle was a solid green, but I added a subtle background using a little Christmas carol background stamp and VersaMark ink. This technique creates a tone on tone or very subtle image. Popped up the image and sentiment with foam tape.

Come back tomorrow and see what day 2 holds in store! :)

It's December 1st!

 Happy first day of December! What a blur this year has been! This post is for a couple cards I made yesterday, getting ready for the Unity Stamp Co. Advent Calendar! Ive been away from my crafty space for a few weeks due to one thing or another, but now we're in the final push for all the Christmas craft projects to come together and get finished!

Hat and gloves were part of the Unity Stamp Co. Advent calendar in 2020. I've stamped, colored and then cut out. Mounted with foam tape onto a vellum circle. Sentiment is also from Unity....called Gotta Love Sentiments.

Next is one last card for the BYSHC Sketch 28 challenge. Paper and circle sentiment are part of the Unity Stamp Co. November 2022 Whit Kit and the sweater is part of the Unity 2020 Advent Calendar. I just love how everything is interchangeable! 

Stay tuned for the 2022 Advent Calendar projects along with the BYSHC Sketch 29 challenge! It's gonna be an exciting month!

{BYSHC} Sketch challenge 28

Happy Black Friday!!  Hope Thanksgiving was blessed and spent with those you love! We're really coming down to the end of cardmaking season.....for this year at least! LOL Next year's cards start right away!!

For this card I used papers from Unity called snowy winter greetings. Cut based on the measurements on the sketch. Added a shimmery ribbon to cover the seam. The snowglobe is from the advent calendar. Stamped onto watercolor paper, colored with Tombow ABT markers and then die cut with a circle die. I added some Nuvo Aqua Shimmer in glitter gloss to the inside of the snowglobe for effect! I die cut a larger circle in blue and added that under. The sentiment is from Unity Sentiment kit....cherished holly.

oooooh shimmer!

Sketch 28 for reference!

Happy November!

 Hello there and welcome back! I'm posting today for Polka Dot Orchard! 

My card today is from the digital stamp set called Finding a Purpose.

I printed the image on Watercolor paper and then proceeded to color with Tombow ABT markers. I added gold gel pen to the golden pumpkin and white gel pen to all the others for dimension. The sentiment was printed and then torn out. I used some versamark ink on the edges and then sprinkled some gold embossing powder. I distressed the edges of the colored panel, then ink blended the edge with some vintage photo. Solid burgundy background, topped with a matching burgundy with gold leaves....all angled to show the underneath. Then I added some burlap twine from May Arts. 

Thanks for visiting! Be sure to check out Polka Dot Orchard for ooodles of digi images! Leave me some love to let me know you were here! ;)

Sketch #28 {BYSHC}

 Well we are in the home stretch of getting cards ready to send to friends and loved ones for the holidays. Thanks to {BYSH}Cardmakers I have quite a few choices to send out! Be sure to follow along with us starting in January to build up your Christmas/Holiday card stash for next December!

My card today utilizes stamps from the Unity Stamp Co. 2021 Advent Calendar! At the time I typed this, there were still 2022 Calendars available. It's so much fun to open a new door each day! The Unity Show & Tell Facebook page will have an album set up for all the inspiration photos each day! The DT will create with each days stamps!

For this card I had run out of the kraft/snowflake paper that I loved.....so I created my own! Kraft cardstock from Unity, the trio snowflake from the advent calendar and a large snowflake from the KOM from October 2017. Stamped in gina k. designs white pigment ink, then embossed with gina k designs white embossing powder. I also added some dots with an embossing pen. Merry Christmas is from Unity gotta love sentiments, stamped the same as the snowflakes. The mug is from the advent calendar, stamped onto watercolor cardstock, colored with Tombow ABT markers and then cut out. Mounted it on a circle of vellum and added some sequins.

favorite cardstock ^

handmade background!

sketch 28 for reference

Thanks for visiting and leave me some love to let me know you were here!

{BYSHC} Sketch #28

 Hello there! It's been a hot minute since I posted, so here goes! I'm going to say this and don't be upset.......everything DOES NOT need to be a masterpiece! *WHEW* there it's out in the open! LOL Let's be honest, we all struggle with making our creations "perfect" and stressing if they aren't. Well friends, I'm here to tell ya, that this one is one of those! 

I started this a few days ago and I didn't like it......so it sat and sat and sat! I tried to wrap my brain around what it needed....and even asked for help (thanks BYSHC DT). Well, I took it almost completely apart and started over!

The background is an all over background stamp from Unity Stamp Co. (pop dots background). I stamped in versamark, embossed with white embossing powder and then ink blended over with vintage photo and broken china. The solid blue panel is where the trouble started. So it was originally plain blue and the menorah was on the other side.....fast forward to today and the blue panel was ink blended OVER a stencil with yellow and white, then some "sugar" glitter paste was smoothed over the top of that. The word PEACE is a stamp and coordinating die set (currently selling as a bundle) from Unity called .....heart of Christmas. Stamped with versamark and embossed with gold embossing powder. I added some sequins and a strip of gold cardstock to finish.

While I'm not 100% happy with it.....I'd say I'm about 85% good! It's sparkly and fun and ready for Hanukkah!

Don't forget to play along and BUILD YOUR STASH of Christmas/Holiday cards!

Meet Polka Dot Orchard IG Hop!

 Welcome to the "Meet Polka Dot Orchard" IG Hop. If you're new to Polka Dot Orchard, let the Creative Team introduce you with wonderful projects using digital sets available at the Polka Dot Orchard Shop.

My first card today is from a digital set called Thank Goodness for Octobers.

I printed the large background digital stamp on regular cardstock and colored in using several different colors of marker to create a monotone background. The sentiment is also from this set. I added a piece of diagonal stripe accent paper and backed it all with a piece of kraft. The added jewels are from Pinkfresh studio. The beauty of digital images, they can be resized to any size you need!

Second card is from the set called Finding a Purpose. 

I printed the digital image on regular cardstock and again on watercolor paper. The cardstock panel was cut to A2 card size and ink smooshed with some distress inks and oxides. I colored the watercolor pumpkins with my tombow ABT markers. After they were colored, I fussy cut them out, then carefully glued them onto the ink smooshed panel directly on top of the printed image. The sentiment which also came with the set was printed on some kraft paper and then cut with a die from Sizzix thinlits called stacked deckle. Folded the image over the top, secured it with glue, then added some brads and natural twine for added interest.

Now for the legal/rules part!

To be eligible for a $15 gift code on digital purchases at PDO:

1. <3 (heart) my IG post!

2. Follow @polkadotorchard and me.

3. Leave a comment at each stop along the hop!

4. Share the fun and tag friends in separate comments

5. No unfollowing after the hop!

Winner will be announced on November 5th on @polkadotorchard

Now let's hop!!!

I am the last one in the hop! To start at the beginning head to Jessica's IG

The complete list is here in case you get lost along the way!

Jessica P 

Donna

Jessica F.

Nancy

Shruti

Jessica B.

Karyn

Krystal

Kirstie

Asha K

Michelle

Helen

Kelsey

Timothy

Teresa

Shelly

Renee

Susan

and last but not least.....here I am!

Open to all. Unfollowers/giveaway accounts do not qualify. Per Instagram rules, we must mention this is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram or Facebook. By entering, entrants confirm they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram or Facebook of responsibility, and agree to their terms of use.

NOW LETS HOP!!

and still more snowflakes! LOL

 One last snowflake card for the Falling for the Holidays 2022 {BYSHC} Linky Party! I loved the technique so much that I just couldn't stop!

As with the previous two posts....this card was inspired by watching a Gina K. Designs 5-minute card tutorial video! Emboss resist can be done with any medium, any color embossing, any color inks, anything really! It's the coolest effect! Again started with a watercolor panel and washi taped the edges. The only thing I did differently than the previous two is I used clear embossing powder instead of white (it was accidental, but happy accidents need love too!) I used distress oxides in broken china, speckled egg and faded jeans. As with the others I mounted on black and added to a background panel from My Minds Eye Christmas Wish. Merry Christmas is a stamp with coordinating die set from Unity Stamp Co. called Heart of Christmas.

Adding this one to the linky party which ends at 11:59 tonight!

More snowflakes!

For the Falling for the Holidays 2022 {BYSHC} Linky Party, each entry must be it's own post.......sooooooo.......

Using the same technique from my previous post I used a technique I saw on a Gina K. Designs 5 minute card video. Taped the edges of a watercolor panel, stamped a snowflake from the Unity Stamp Co. KOM October 2017 (Conspiracy of Love) with VersaMark then sprinkled Gina K. Designs White Embossing powder and heated it. Then ink blended over the embossing with Gina K. Designs dye ink in peach bellini, dusty rose and innocent pink. Backed it with black, then added it to the background which is from Basic Grey Jovial. Added some pearls and "Merry Christmas" is a stamp/die cut combo from Unity Stamp Co. called Heart of Christmas.

Thanks for checking this out.....Linky party ends at 11:59 tonight!

 

Merry Christmas Snowflakes

 Here it is.....the last day! The Falling for the Holidays 2022 {BYSHC} Linky Party will end tonight at 11:59! Be sure to get all linked up by then!

Today's card is both a sponsor product project as well as a video promotion project! Gina K. Designs 5 minute card videos are BOMB!!! I learn so much from her videos! 

This particular one was for emboss resist snowflakes. While my taping job wasn't even, I do love how it turned out! Taped first (used washi tape because I don't *yet* have her masking magic strips), then inked up the largest snowflake from the Unity Stamp Co. KOM October 2017 (Conspiracy of Love) with VersaMark, then sprinkled her white embossing powder and heated it for the magic to happen! Then grabbed ocean mist and lovely lavender also by Gina K. designs and ink blended over the top. I backed it with black cardstock, and then placed it on patterned paper from my minds eye Christmas Wish. The "Merry Christmas" is from Unity. It's a set called ...heart of Christmas....there is also a coordinating die set! The last step was adding jewels from PinkFresh Studio!

I'm sure you know by now the list of sponsors but here they are again! They deserve to be mentioned again! 

Angie Blom Digital Designs

Fresh and Renewed with Teresa

Gina K. Designs

Colorado Crafty Company

Newton's Nook

Jaded Blossom

NEW Sponsor - Pink & Main

Gina Marie Designs

Tawny Owl Paperie

Unity Stamp Co.

NEW Sponsor - Pretty Pink Posh

Twiddler's Nook

Lawn Fawn

NEW Sponsor - Therm O Web

Not 2 Shabby

NEW Sponsor - Danni's Dreams

In Love With Paper - Cindy Messer

Taylored Expressions

NEW Sponsor - Kat Scrappiness

Don't forget to link by 11:59 tonight! 

Going pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

 While I know this post is about the {BYSHC} Sketch 27 challenge.....for my cards it was about Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Going Pink for October. Another site I follow does a 2-week challenge for pink Christmas cards. I've done this for several years and while it's not a traditional Christmas color, the cards are super awesome!

One card was posted a week or so ago, but this one wasn't until today!

For this one the stamped image is from Unity Stamp Co., called ornamental season. First I turned the sketch on its side, next I embossed a panel of pink cardstock. Die cut the pink glitter panel and the stamped panel with the smallest rectangle from the scallops and rectangles nesting dies from Unity (I would tag the product, but it appears to be sold out at the moment). I ink blended the colored panel a little but the ornaments are all in shades of pink! And they sparkle too!  I added some coordinating ribbon along the seam and there ya go!

This one was for the same pink challenge.....Unity Stamp Co. Ember Girl. Colored with Tombow ABT markers. The pink/purple plaid part is washi tape, then a piece of pink cardstock and my stamped image panel. Added some snowflakes punched from pink glitter cardstock!

Thanks for the visit! Leave me some love to let me know you were here!

ooops! JOY!

 When you are supposed to be cleaning up the crafty space because it doubles as a guest bedroom....and you have guests coming in 2 days....but there is soooo much goodness just laying out in plain sight.....I'm only human and can resist the temptation so long! LOL

So this beautiful new image (called Joy and Noel) from Angie Blom Digital Designs was just sitting on top of the stuff that needed to be put away and it just sort of jumped onto my desk and begged to be colored and made into a card! LOL So that's what I did! Colored with Tombow ABT markers and some generic alcohol markers.  Also used some Nuvo Glitter Drops in golden sunset. Cut a piece of green woodgrain paper (from Unity Stamp Co. Rustic Wood) with the largest scalloped rectangle die (also from Unity), then cut the watercolor panel with the largest rectangle die from that same nesting die set. Added everything to a piece of kraft cardstock. The corner of the "JOY" panel was cut off by accident so I added a large button and some burlap twine and natural color bakers twine. 

NOW I have to go get cleaning! UGH! Too much good stuff in here! It's a shame to have to put it away! LOL

Warm & Cozy Mug

 We are coming down to the wire here for the Falling for the Holidays 2022 {BYSHC} Linky Party! Tomorrow at midnight will be it! Be sure to get your projects linked up by then!

Today's card features some Unity Stamp Co. stamps! I used the Unity Show & Tell October Sketch for this one! Grabbed some scraps and away I went!

As I said above I grabbed some scraps and a tag that I had made last year. It had gotten buried in with some scraps! I love when I find stuff like that!! The tag was made with one of the Unity Advent Calendar Stamps from last year...day 1 and the sentiment is from the Warm & Cozy Itty Bitty! The tag was one of the free gifts that come with each order. I distressed it with some ink blending and some white watered down acrylic paint. The mug itself was stamped, then colored with Tombow ABT markers and die cut with a circle die from my stash. The sentiment was stamped with VersaMark and embossed with white embossing powder. Tied with some jute twine and tan and white bakers twine to finish it off. 

October Sketch

and again with the list of sponsors! They are too good to NOT share!

Angie Blom Digital Designs

Fresh and Renewed with Teresa

Gina K. Designs

Colorado Crafty Company

Newton's Nook

JAded Blossom

NEW Sponsor - Pink & Main

Gina Marie Designs

Tawny Owl Paperie

Unity Stamp Co.

NEW Sponsor - Pretty Pink Posh

Twiddler's Nook

Lawn Fawn

NEW Sponsor - Therm O Web

Not 2 Shabby

NEW Sponsor - Danni's Dreams

In Love With Paper - Cindy Messer

Taylored Expressions

NEW Sponsor - Kat Scrappiness

Let It Snow!

 I'm still creating for the Falling for the Holidays 2022 {BYSHC} Linky Party! I'm seriously avoiding housework to make more cards! I'm on a roll and don't want to stop!

Today's card was inspired by the paper! I have this super old Basic Grey paper pack called Jovial that I love! When I started pulling paper out of it this snowman paper popped out at me! I'm thinking now that I should have switched the papers on this one, but seeing those little smiling faces just makes me happy! More for another project!

I started with a white card base, then added a kraft panel on top of that. That's about how I do things, it's easier for me to just print my card back image on a bunch of white, then add whatever color background I want. Also makes the card a little thicker and sturdier! Anyway.....I followed an old sketch number 7, cut based on the measurements and then stamped out my image. It's from Unity Stamp Co. called Winter Shake Up from the 12/2020 Whit Kit. I stamped all the images on watercolor paper and colored with Tombow ABT markers. Originally I die cut with the smallest scallop die, but didn't like how it looked, so I fussy cut it out. You can see that one side of the snowglobe isn't exactly round, but only if you are looking closely! After it was cut out I used some foam adhesive to pop it up and then added some burlap string from May Arts. I did also add some Nuvo Aqua Shimmer to the inside of the snowglobe just because! LOL

Don't forget in order to be eligible for some amazing prizes from some amazing sponsors you need to enter a project! Here is that list of sponsors again in case you forgot! LOL

Angie Blom Digital Designs

Fresh and Renewed with Teresa

Gina K. Designs

Colorado Crafty Company

Newton's Nook

JAded Blossom

NEW Sponsor - Pink & Main

Gina Marie Designs

Tawny Owl Paperie

Unity Stamp Co.

NEW Sponsor - Pretty Pink Posh

Twiddler's Nook

Lawn Fawn

NEW Sponsor - Therm O Web

Not 2 Shabby

NEW Sponsor - Danni's Dreams

In Love With Paper - Cindy Messer

Taylored Expressions

NEW Sponsor - Kat Scrappiness

Linky party ends at 11:59 on Friday night!

p.s. a big thank you to Angela @ Unity (I think it was her that posted) for the video/youtube tutorial on how to get good pictures! LOL I thought mine were ok before, but this one right up ^ there is amazing!! LOL