{BYSHC} Sketch 48 - Merry & Bright

 Welcome to the last weekend of {BYSHC} Sketch 48! The link will stay open until midnight on the 31st.

This sketch came about from one of my previous cards. I used scraps to create the stripes on the base, which is exactly what I did with this one too. The scraps, from all different brands and collections, were cut into 1/2" strips and glued to a piece of copy paper (to reduce bulk). I then used the largest die from the scallops and rectangle nesting die set from Unity Stamp Co. to die cut it. The circle of vellum was cut using the scallops and circles nesting die set from Unity! The reindeer and sentiment are from a kit called cheerful prancing, from, yep you guessed it Unity Stamp Co.! Have I mentioned that they are the prize sponsor this month!?! 

Be sure to have your card linked up in the album on the facebook group by midnight on the 31st!

{BYSHC} Sketch 48 - Merry Little Christmas

Hello and welcome back! We are moving through August like a hot knife through butter! Soooo FAST!!! It's already the 23rd?!? How is that possible?!? Anyway, because of {BYSHC} I have quite the stash of cards so that December doesn't have to be stressful! 

Sketch 48 is based on one of my cards from last year! It's exciting to see my name on it! :) To create this card I took scraps that were not even the same pad or manufacturer and cut them into 1/2" strips. Glued them to a piece of copy paper (to reduce bulk) in a diagonal pattern to create the stripes. I then die cut it, as well as the kraft colored mat, using the scallops and rectangle nesting die set from Unity Stamp Co. I had saved some scraps of paper that were all christmas words. One side was the words the other was tartan plaid! Cut out a few words that not only fit, but also fit the theme! The snowflake was cut using a snowflake die from Waffle Flower called winter crystal die, from a sheet of adhesive silver foil paper. I added some burlap twine from May Arts Ribbon and some glitter enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs.

Be sure to join along!!

{BYSHC} Sketch #48 - Holiday Cheer

 Hello and welcome to August! After the Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party I still had a ton of scraps that I didn't get to use. What better way than to make another background! Unlike the Linky Party your submissions go into the appropriate sketch folder on the {BYSHC} FB Page! 

Sketch 48 is pictured below. The fun thing about sketch 48 is that it was inspired by one of my cards from last year! :) How fun is that?!? It too was created by stacking strips of scrap cardstock together to create an interesting background! The papers that I have used here are all different manufacturers! they just looked good together! Nothing scientific about it! :) This month's prize sponsor is Unity Stamp Co.! This is where the majority of my stamp and die supplies came from!

This card started with a piece of copy paper that I added some adhesive to and started stacking my strips. The strips are cut into 1/2" strips. Once they are all stuck down, I take my scissors and trim them down. The kraft cardstock mat is from Unity.  The reindeer and sentiment are from a Unity set called Winter Cheer and Deer. I stamped them both onto white cardstock, die cut the reindeer with the scalloped and circle nesting dies, distressed around the edges with vintage photo and a little walnut stain and then mounted it on the opposite side of the card. I thought he should be looking over the entire card instead of just the edge! ;)  Next I took the largest scalloped and rectangle nesting die and cut the entire thing. That way everything is pressed down and the circle edge matches! The sentiment was die cut using another Unity nesting die set called scallops and banners! I distressed it as well with vintage photo. After all was said and done, I added some red enamel dots from Gina Marie Designs to finish it off!

My inspiration card! <3

{BYSHC} Sketch #48 - Cup of Cheer

 My goal all year has been to use the monthly sponsored company's products on the cards that I post. I was so wrapped up in the Christmas in July 2024 {BYSHC} Linky Party that I just grabbed this digi stamp from Not2Shabby and did the whole thing before I remembered the sponsor this month is Unity Stamp Co.! Unlike the Linky Party, this challenges entries are to be made in the appropriate album on the {BYSHC} Facebook page!

I created these strips of scrap pieces during the Linky Party, but thought they would be appropriate for this sketch! I am getting ready to attempt a video about how I did this background. I am shocked at the response it received when I did it for the Linky Party! The link to that written instruction can be found HERE. Once a video is ready, I'll add that link here too!

Started with a bunch of scraps cut into 1/2" strips, arranged them on a piece of copy paper, then cut them into 1/2" strips going the opposite way! Glued them down onto my cardstock base and this is the outcome! I did die cut the scrap panel and the kraft mat panel using the scalloped and rectangle nesting dies from Unity. The digi stamp as I said is from Not2Shabby which happens to be a freebie! After it was colored, I distressed the edges with some vintage photo and walnut stain. The "cookie" shapes are stickers from Miss Kate Cuttables. The red enamel dots finish it off and they are from Gina Marie Designs.

Newton's Nook Inky Paws Challenge #229 Birthday!

 Hello Friends! I created a birthday card for the Newton's Nook Inky Paws Challenge #229 Birthday.

I am working on increasing my Newton's Nook Designs stamp collection, but for now Garden Mice is the set for this challenge! I found a few scraps on my desk that went together so cut them according to the current sketch at Tawny Owl Paperie. The mouse was cut using the matching die set and colored with Tombow ABT markers. I used a pack of enamel dots from Carta Bella as my color palette! The sentiment was typed on my computer and printed, then cut out using a banner from Unity Stamp Co. I punched a couple holes in the top and fed through some white grosgrain ribbon. Using foam adhesive, I attached it to the appropriate spot from the sketch, then added the cute mouse and butterfly. The enamel dots were just scattered around!

Be sure to check out the Newton's Nook Designs Inky Paws Challenge and also the Tawny Owl Paperie Inky Inspiration Sketch challenge!

~August 2024 Friends of Unity - Friendship~

Hello and welcome to the August 2024 Friends of Unity Blog Hop! This month's inspiration is about friendship. I have some amazing friends! I love to share cards with them!  

Of course I send/give them handmade birthday cards and Christmas cards, but sometimes you just need a "hey there friend" kind of card! An encouraging word from a friend will certainly make anyone smile!

I've got a couple to share with you this month!

This lovely card was inspired by a card created by Unity Design Team member April Sarandrea. If you are not a member of the Unity Stamp Co. Show & Tell Facebook group, you should be! The talent and inspiration (and encouragement and love) that comes from that group is amazing!

This stamp set is so gorgeous! It's called He Provides and comes with some amazing sentiments as well! I stamped the image onto regular white cardstock with some VersaFine Clair nocturne, then colored with alcohol markers. The coloring was inspired by another DT Member Bobbie Sue! Her watercoloring is superb! Although this isn't watercolored, I wanted to give it some shine and used some gold pigment ink from Delicata (it came in a kit). I smooshed it onto an acrylic block, added water and brushed it on top of the coloring I had done. After that dried...I took more of the gold ink smooshing and splattered some onto the image...then took some white pigment ink and some of the alcohol inks and did the same thing! I die cut the panel using the largest non-scalloped and rectangle nesting die. So I know you are thinking....that's not a rectangle! I moved the die over to cut the other edge! 

After that was cut I took some black printed cardstock and a scrap of pink and tore them to create the edge. Glued everything together and wrapped it with Burlap Twine! The sentiment is from the Kit of the Month from March 2024 called Love and Good Vibes. I attached a scrap if light pink and stapled them together with some rose gold staples! Clear dew drops were also added for some sparkle!

My next card is another simple and cute "hey there friend" kind of card!

 

This also has some torn edges! Seems to be my thing this month! LOL The stamp set is an itty bitty called Glad we're Friends. Started with a sheet of patterned paper, then I tore some cardstock strips and glued them all down. The largest scalloped and rectangle nesting die set is definitely my most used die set! I die cut the entire panel! I added some burlap twine under the tag. The tag was cut with the Unity Make a tag set. I colored with a little bit of watercolor and added a cute little paperclip to the edge! The sentiment and tag were added using foam adhesive. Some Gina Marie Design enamel dots to finish it off!

I can honestly say that my friends *love* a handmade card! One said to me the other day, when I had given her a birthday gift and a handmade card...."No one has ever given me something they made just for me!" <3 You just never know what people are going through or have on their minds...a sweet message of "hey I was thinking of you" could be all that it takes to make someone's day! Love your friends hard and keep them close! <3

That's it for me! Thanks for visiting! Be sure to let me know what you think! To start the hop at the beginning, Crystal is the one! If you are ready for the next inspiration, you can find it here with April!

Enjoy!!