Birthday Boy card

I'm still trying to figure out a good crafting schedule for myself.  I've been busy lately making baby items for 2 sister-n-laws who are having babies.  One new niece was born last Thursday and the other niece will be born next month.  I think I am done with making baby stuff and I can focus on some other stuff - like card making and scrapping!!

Challenges Entered

The Alley Way Stamps - Anything goes (March)

DL. Art - For a Boy or Man

Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards Challenges - For a child

Sister Act Card challenges - Anything goes

The Stamping Boutique - More than 1 layer

Simon Says Stamp - "B is for . . . "  (Birthday Boy)

Products Used

Priceless Joy - The Alley Way Stamps

Sketch used was TSSC #12

"Pin"spired card - Apple Die Cut

Oh My Gosh!  It has been forever since my last post.  It could be a mix of things.  Winter was super long and I kind of lost my crafty "mojo."  And then once school let out and summer came on, we have been so busy.  Oh well.  Eventually, there will be a time when I will be able to sit in my craft room for days on end and craft up a storm.  But until then, I will just be turning out cards every once in a while.  I have been making cards over the last 6 months, I just haven't been putting on my blog!

My card today was inspired by one of my many "Pins."  This is the inspiration card:

 And this is my card:

 Not as clean as I wanted, but I was getting frustrated towards the end.  But in the end, I matched pretty decently.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Products Used

Cricut cut (apple) - CTMH Artbooking p.69

sentiment - rub on (do not know brand)

TAWS - Trees

I am a big fan of The Alley Way Stamps (TAWS).  Their stamps are so my style, but I have yet to actually buy any of their sets (I have been using their digital "freebies").  I don't know why I haven't, so I am hoping that maybe I can win a set or two.  So I have included TAWS onto my "short" list of challenges that I will participate in.  I've got to win one of these times.  But you can't win if you don't play.  So here it goes:

This is the card I created based off of the inspiration photo they provided.  Inside I stamped "Merry Christmas".

Inspiration Photo

I think I did a pretty decent job.  I focused in on the polka dots and not so much the mugs.  Although I struggled pretty hard in trying to get a decent picture.  It's cloudy and rainy here today, so I wasn't able to use the "natural light" that I usually do to get my shots.  I think I may need to create an actual light box so I won't have this issue.  But that takes time away from other "real" work, like making more cards!

Challenges Entered

The Alley Way Stamps - Inspiration Photo

Products Used

Trees (digital stamp) - The Alley Way Stamps

Paper - Polka Dots - Cricut (Provo Craft) Doodlecharms paper pack

Paper – Misc scrap

Gems - Close to My Heart - Epoxy bubbles

Sketch used was Stamping 411 #136

Blue Train

I absolutely LOVE sketches.  I cannot create a card (or scrapbook page) without one.  But there are so many out there and I want to do them all.  But that is overwhelming, so I keep a file (on my computer) of my most favorites and use them as inspiration for the challenges I enter.  That is why you will see me reference many "old" sketches in my posts.  I don't enter any sketch challenges because it puts too much "pressure" on me to use that particular sketch and it hinders my creative mojo.  I know that is weird, but that's my process!

So on to my next challenge.  This is a cute kid card, which I don't have hardly enough of these in my stash.  And I really should have a bunch.  I'm at that age now where I have plenty of nieces and nephews to warrant a large supply!

This card is for the Heart to Heart (H2H) challenge - Seeing Double - and this is my interpretation:

  

Challenges Entered

Heart to Heart Challenges - "Seeing Double"

Products Used

Train stamp - "Little Boys" - Close to My Heart

Paper - Misc unknown, scraps

Sketch used was Mojo Monday #104

Pearfect

It has been a while since my last post.  It's taken me some time to get used to my new full time work schedule, kids & family.  But I think I have finally gotten some sort of rhythm down and can get back to some challenges.  I have narrowed them down to only about 3 that I will consistently enter.  So here is my "back on the wagon" entry for H2H & RCS.

Challenges Entered

Heart to Heart Challenges - Grateful

Red Carpet Challenge - Food theme

Stamps Used
Mayberry - Close to My Heart
Cricut Artiste Collection Word Balloons - Close to My Heart

Sketch used was Freshly Made #2

Colors used was Color Q #1

OWH #01

Keeping up with card making lately has been a challenge.  I got a job, so I won't have as much time to "play around" during the day!!  But I will still try to make at least a couple cards a week and try to enter some challenges.  I really want to win some free stuff!!

Here is what I was able to create.  I stayed true to my goal of going through the OWH sketches.  They are easy to use to get a good stash going.  As I am trying to keep on top of mailing out ACTUAL Birthday cards to people and not just a generic wish on their Facebook page!!

Very basic design and I was able to use the "You're My Type" stamp set from Stampin' Up.  I really love this vintage typewriter. I like that this color scheme is masculine as well.  I need more manly cards in my stash.  They have birthdays too!

Here is the sketch #01

Challenges Entered:

Little Tangles - Use Kraft

Thanks for stopping by!

H2H "Pun Fun"

I am so overwhelmed by all of the fabulous challenge sites out there!  I want to do them all, but do not have that kind of time.  But I still want to challenge myself to create more cards and use all of the great products that I have.  I am a sucker for a great (and easy) sketch to follow, so I have a plan of going through all of the OWH sketches.  They are really basic sketches and they provide sizes!!  Hooray!

Along with using the OWH sketches I will follow the H2H challenges and Red Carpet Studio.  And then I will sprinkle in others if they fit with what I am creating at the time.  It is so hard to go minimal with the challenges, when I want so badly to cram in as many as I can.  But I need to have time to take care of other things, like my family (drag!)  LOL

So here is my start with the OWH sketches.  This one is sketch 116.  My theme of the card goes with the challenge this week for H2H and for Paper Playtime, which is to make a card using a "pun".

I used the stamp set "Howdy" from CTMH, which I borrowed from my very good friend Heather (who is also a CTMH consultant).  It's great to have friends to share stamps with.  That way you have a super abundance of stamps to use and don't have to "buy" them all!

Thanks for checking out my blog and hopefully you will be back to see how I am getting along in my sketch journey!

Challenges Entered:

H2H - Use a pun

Paper Playtime - Use a pun

Hiding in my Craft Room - Anything goes

Simply Create Too - Animals