Start With A Sketch #4!

 

The weather here is getting colder. Still wondering if it will warm up again. I can't believe it's been a whole month since I blogged last.

Since the last blog, my husband's mother passed away and we had the funeral. The Friday before she passed our oldest daughter's husband had face and eye trauma from a Sand Blaster blowing up. I hosted my September Weekend Retreat and that Sunday our one and only granddaughter who had already excepted the gift of eternal life and put her trust in Jesus, was baptized. We left the Retreat in the hands of a friend and came home to attend church and her baptism.   Then, that evening, our oldest Son decided to have a heart attack! Everyone is doing great, and we are so thankful for that! 

Here is the next Start With A Sketch#4. I have made 4 cards so far and as you can see; I didn't exactly follow the sketch totally. Maybe the next one. 

Now, it's your turn! Dig into your stash and make something with the sketch above!  Please share your creation on my Facebook Group- Making Pretty Things With Paper so others can be inspired! Then, send it to someone you love!!!!!!!

Sunday September 8, 2024

 

Where did the Summer go? I am sure you all were just as busy as we were. The last few weeks we both had a "bug"! I had been dragging for a bit and when the 3 grandsons were here, the youngest and I had light sore throats and then the day after they left, it hit me hard. For three weeks. Anyway, so, now I am trying to catch up even though this "bug" left me with a cough and kind of tired yet. 

Over Labor Day we had our kids and grandkids all weekend. Such a blessing to be able to be together again. We were able to be outside most of the time and for most of the meals too. Such nice weather. Morning devotions every day was a blessing also. Some of the group did different activities, golfing one morning, swimming one afternoon, and disc golfing. Otherwise, we sat and talked, in the evening we had a fire to sit by also and it was very needed by the last night. Brrrrr!

We made homemade ice cream with raw cows milk that has so much cream its got to be a sin to drink it. LOL! But, oh my, that ice cream was soooooooooooo goooooooooooooood! Jim made his wonderful Brisket for one supper and the other supper was Chicken Quarters grilled! Yummy! Both the boys helped us with the suppers and the girls made the breakfasts. Biscuits and gravy, Egg Pizza, awesome doughnuts from a place in Ohio, Crunchy Egg Tortillias, yummy Broccoli/Cauliflower Salad, Fresh Fruit, Fresh Vegtables and homemade dip, Chocolate Birthday Cake, Mixed Berry Cobbler, Cheesy Potatoes, and Baked Potatoes and homemade potato chips!

This past week, I have been making another batch of Start With a Sketch! I only have a couple right now so, I will share those tonight. I start with the sketches in the Stampin UP! Annual Catalog. This is sketch #3 and I made it a little different in each card. Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

This is what I have been doing, what have you been doing?

A Layout using 6" x 6" pieces of In-Color

 The Spring weather has been amazing these past few weeks. We took a quick little trip to Colorado over Memorial Day and enjoyed a visit with a friend and my first cousin and her family! The weather was perfect. We treated our friend to dinner and a show at the Flying W Ranch! Their updates are wonderful, and their food and the show were awesome! The trip back was very uneventful except one stop at a rest area in Missouri was pretty noisy with the sounds of thousands of Cicadas all over the trees and flying around. 

I have been working on a little project by challenging myself to see what I can do with the 6" x 6" paper sets that Stampin' Up! has in their product line. This sketch is my own design, so, if there is any out there that look like this, I didn't know about it. I just fit and cut the 6" x 6" paper pieces I cut from these papers and cardstock.

The first sample of this 12" x 12" layout is a trial that I decided to add photos and use. Very simply done using paper, pop outs and stickers from my stash. Different collections were incorporated into this layout featuring our little guy at the age of 3. He is now 41! Where has the years gone so fast!

This next one is made using the In-Colors 6" x 6" papers. Since I am still transitioning from Close To My Heart, I am challenged by not having all the colors of the Stampin' UP! collection so, I tried to match CTMH colors with the SU papers. I matched the Pretty In Pink to CTMH Flamingo Cardstock for matting behind the Pretty In Pink pieces on the two outside pieces on each 12" x 12". I also used the CTMH Mink ink pad to stamp the background stamping for texture and to tone down the White Daisy. I used the SU Notes of Nature for the background and the Countryside Corners for the two White Daisy Shapes on the outside edge of each side. 

I used the flowers and the tags SU Ephemera fussy cutting around the leaves and using pop dots. The holes in the top strips are cut from the die in the Notes of Nature set. So simple and sweet. Love, love, love the colors. I also used pieces of Unbounded Beauty paper; it matches the In-Colors so well!

Here is the sketch (I apologize for the crookedness of the two sides). I will list below everything I used also. 

Now, use this sketch,dig into your stash of stamp sets and papers and make a two-page layout then post it on my Facebook Group Making Pretty Things With Paper in the Album Using 6" x 6" paper #1.

 This post will count towards your layouts in a year challenge also so add it to that album also. Be sure and add your name and what you used. 

Unbounded Beauty-163372    

2024-2026 In Color 6 x 6 - 163777

Countryside Corners Dies - 161471

And the Stamp Set which seems to be no longer available

Notes of Nature Stamp Set and Die - 162630 unavailable?

Fully Flowering Ephemera Pack- 163762

Labels and Layers Ephemera Pack- 163764

CTMH Flamingo Cardstock

CTMH Mink Ink Pad

New Close To My Heart Starting June 5th!

 June is almost upon us! We just got back from a quick trip to Colorado to see a cousin and a friend. What a wonderful trip! And the weather was so nice all the way! On our way back, we stopped at a rest area in Missouri, there was a huge choir of Cicadas serenading us! Plus, one landed on me. Yuck! 

Now, it's time to put the nose to the grindstone. LOL! 

Let me introduce the next roll out of the Close To My Heart Paper Collection and stamp sets. If you see something you like, on June 5th., click on this link- Shop With Me. Click on the Shop Products and you should find a Close To My Heart tab in the drop-down list. 

Be sure and add the May Hostess Code # 7G4ZEA6V

For orders under $150.

Meanwhile, get your list ready!

 

Goodbye Close To My Heart!

 I imagine by now you all have heard and seen the activity around Facebook, Instagram etc. about Close To My Heart closing their doors in June. I wanted to be sure and add this to this blog so while you can look back on my previous blogs and see Close To My Heart, this will divide and show the transition I am making to the next phase of my paper crafting journey with a company very similar to Close To My Heart, a company that graciously allowed at least 3500 of us to transition into. Welcoming us with much warmth and open arms! 

Starting May 1st, I became a Stampin' UP Demonstrator. Navigating all the new rules and policies, the website, and learning about the products has been a challenge but so rewarding! I started my stamping journey over 25 years ago, with Stampin' UP! (not as a demonstrator) but to be truthful, the red rubber stamps on the wood blocks were very frustrating for me to use. Perfect placement was so discouraging. I dearly loved the artwork though, and now, I am so excited about jumping back into this company and their new and improved stamp sets and beautiful artwork. I definitely am loving the brand-new Annual Catalog and all the new and fun product in it! 

Yes, I even have purchased some of the red rubber stampsets!  I have found that being able to stick the rubber stamps on the clear blocks makes it so much easier to stamp also. I haven't tried restamping the same design yet so I don't really know how easy that will be. Although now, we have access to tools (on the market) that actually make perfect placement very easy plus you can stamp the same design more than once to make it darker. Example: The Mysti

Below, is a card I made using Stampin 'UP and CTMH products. 

Stampin' UP® images 2024

I used CTMH card base, White Daisy for the sentiment, and Rosy Cardstock for the rectangle piece to anchor the cluster of flowers and circles.
I fussy cut the flowers from the SU Flowering Zinnia paper Pack- 163469. There are (4) 12x12 sheets- 2 of each design that you can use for this. The die I used to cut the green circles with is called- Spotlight on Nature- #163580

I stamped the Zinnia from the SU Simply Zinnia Stamp Set-163480 on the background with CTMH inks- Rosy, LImeade and Sundance. Two things I have learned about this company, 

#1. Be aware of which language stamp set is.

#2. Bundles and Collections are cheaper than purchasing single items.

The sentiment is stamped and die cut from the Unbounded Love sets/or bundle.

Here is one of the Zinnia dies, making a 3-D flower. I used CTMH Rosy, Sundance and Lemonade cardstock. 

Stampin' UP® images 2024

Stampin' UP® images 2024

I laid this flower on one of the Zinnia DSP to show you how well Rosy matches. 

If you are loving this set, leave a comment below and let me know. If you need a SU Demonstrator, here is my Shop With Me link. 

Be sure and use the May Host Code# 7G4ZEA6V for orders below $150.

Honey Bunny Collection

 March is flying by, literally! Today, it's windy and a little hard to stay warm here in Northern Indiana! Even though the sun is a shining!

I am gearing up and getting ready for my March Retreat this weekend. I have been hosting these retreats for the past year up at Shipshewana, IN. This is the 3rd. one this year, we won't meet again until September and November. Hope you can join us sometime. 

Since Close To My Heart announced their closing of their business, the shopping has been chaos. If there is something you are wanting that is listed in the catalog but not in the website ask me. I can let you know what is retired. This Honey Bunny Paper Pack plus Stickers is still available and I actually used that for this three 2 page layout set instead of the Scrapbook Workshop. I used the directions for my main design tweaking to suit me. The Workshops come with an extra set of two exclusive design papers and since I didn't have those I come up with this. I really enjoyed the tearing, layering and weaving of the paper strips. It really adds that extra special something to the pages.

You can download and print the directions for the original here. Click on Download Guide. Or you can wait and purchase the kit when it's available again. You can also purchase the Digital Collection which I am featuring on the 3rd set of layout pages below.

This Honey Bunny paper pack is absolutely gorgeous! How do I know this? Not only do I think so, everybody that saw me working on it at the February Retreat were commenting on it also. I really don't think you will be disappointed. But get yours ASAP, before they are gone for good!

I am planning to use mine for newborn pictures, I think either gender would work. Soft and cuddly bunnies and chickies (March Stamp of the Month) to add to those pages. All of these Stamps plus Thin Cuts are coming back March-2024. The stamps alone are available now. 

Here is Layout 1 

Layout 2

Layout 3

List of Items used:

X7302S-Honey Bunny Paper Pack plus Stickers

Z7135- Honey Bunny Scrapbooking Stamp Set plus Thin Cuts

Z7141- Just Chicken In March Stamp of the Month plus Thin Cuts

Z7106-Sweet Memories Cardmaking Stamp Set plus Thin Cuts

Z7153- Swiss Dot Embossing Folder and Stencil Set

Z7154- Bitty Flower Embossing Folder and Stencil Set

X7302E- Honey Bunny Digital Art Collection

X7302D- Honey Bunny Dots

Home For Christmas Layouts

 

Here is a list of what I used to make these layouts. 

Supplies needed:

1. X7297B- Home For Christmas Paper Pack plus Sticker Sheet…$11.95*

2. X7207D- Home For Christmas Die-Cuts(optional)……………………….$7.95

3. X7297C- Home For Christmas Coordinating Cardstock………………$11.95

4. D2185- Holiday Banner Stamp Set only………………………………………….$19.95*

5. or/Z7070- Holiday Banner Stamp Set plus Thin Cuts…………………$29.95*

Total without Thin Cuts…………………………………………$51.80

Total with Thin Cuts not including tax and shipping……………$61.80

VIP credit earned- $7.77/$9.27 plus eligible for the FREE Stamp of the Month!

Supplies Used 

1.Z7010 Adhesive Runner……………………………………………..$8.95

2.Z1151 3-D Foam Tape……………………………………………….$6.95

3.9048 Make It From Your Heart Vol. 6(optional)……………….........$16.95

4.Z4189 Intense Black Ink Stamp Pad………………………………...$10.95

5.Z3579 Stamp Shammy………………………………………………$11.50

6.My Acrylix Blocks 2”x2”-Y1003 ($11.95),

2”x3½”-Y1009 ($13.95), 3”x3”-Y1006 ($17.95)

Layout 1: 

Pattern 11 pg. 26-27

Two of the elements were cut from Design Space. The rest 

of the embellishments are made from the stamp set, 

stickers and the Die Cuts.

Layout 2:

Pattern 6 pg. 16-17

The right page is made from this pattern, I just designed

 the left one to go with it. There is an element made 

from the Design Space and the rest are made from the 

stamp set, stickers and the die cuts. 

Layout 3:

Pattern 18 pg. 40-41

This one is embellished with just the stickers, 

stamp set, used a stencil for the background 

and the die cuts. You can replace any of these 

elements and embellishments with some thing else. 

October-Stamp of the Month- S2310/Z7074-From Owl of Us

 

Isn't this the most adorable stamp set you have ever seen? This set of cards was made from a card sketch from our brand new Make It From Your Heart Vol. 6- Pattern 23. I used it to create all three cards with various paper collections and colors. I also used the D2196- Design Elements on these cards. 

I stamped the little leaf on White Daisy background of the card base. I also used a stencil for the background behind the owl and stamped the the tiny dots from the Design Elements over the stenciling. I used our brand new Colored Pencils to color the owl. I really love these colored pencils, they are so blendable and smooth. 

For this one, I used the star background from the Design Element stamp set on the card base and the stripe stamp for the 4 pieces behind the piece the owls are adhered to. I just blended with a brush using the stamp pad ink behind the owl. Colored with the new Colored Pencils.

I used stencils for the part behind the owl and two of the stamp elements from Design Elements for the 4 matching pieces and stamping around on the background over the stenciling. Stamped the tiny leaves and left them uncolored. Directly stamped the limb on the background and colored it. Coloring was done using the Colored Pencils.

Here is how you can get your FREE card kits and the Stamp of the Month.

I forgot the third way, you can purchase the stamp set for full price without spending the $50. Unfortunately, you won't get the FREE card kit. 

Here is a 2 page layout I made using these stamp sets also.