The Evolution of a Card Design

So my sister sent us this for our Christmas Card this year. I immediately knew I would have to case it!!! Isn't it sweet. I love that the whole card is less than 1 sheet of paper and the fact that the snowman panel is the one removed from the card front!

I had a Stampin' Up! workshop yesterday in honor of Sale-A-Bration. Of course, I thought I could do variations of this to show off the Sale-A-Bration Sets. Since I didn't pre-order any sets, (seriously why would I pay for them when I will get them free this week?!? I never understood that), I decided to use what sets I had from the back of the book. I LOVE that they now incorporate sets that are in the yearly catalog for Sale-A-Bration!!! Having already purchased 8 of those sets, I knew I could make it work. The sets I didn't use I had out to show.

Up First, Simple Snowflake:

If you know me at all you know I love snow, snowflakes and snowmen- as long as I am not the one out in the cold! So, consequently I have had this stamp for awhile- in fact I used it for my 2009 Christmas cards. For both cards I stamped the simple snowflake in Night of Navy. For the card on the Left I used the snowflake punch on acetate to create a stencil. I used a sponge with Bashful Blue to pop the Snowflake. For the card on the white I stamped the Simple Snowflake on Bashful blue, punched it out with the snowflake punch and glued that down. I am partial to the card on the left.

SU Materials Used:

Stamps: Simple Snowflake

Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Bashful Blue (Right card only)

Ink: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue (Left card only)

Other: Snowflake Punch, Perfect Polka Dots, Jewels Basic Rhinestone, sponge, brads

Ok, this was just one I threw in because I liked the sponged snowflake and Valentines day is coming up. ;-)

I used the heart punch on acetate-and sponged the template. After I finished sponging it I used my marker to outline the Heart. I really like the simple look of this one. As much as I like the sponged dots on the snowflake card- On this card I like the white better!

SU Materials Used:

Stamps: None- how is that possible?!?

Paper: Cherry Cobbler (one of my new favorites!), Whisper White

Other: Heart Punch, Perfect Polka Dots, sponge, brads, White 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon

And last but not least- the Take home card, featuring Hello Again:

I must admit, Clay was right. Usually when I ask him an opinion- like does he like the dark color on the outside of the flower or inside, I usually go with the opposite of what he says. This time he was right, the flower on the right looks better. I do however like the smaller size of the flower panel and 1/16" border on the left card- guess I should have asked him about that too. ;) The flower and butterfly we inked with my Stampin' Write Markers- what a great way to make them really pop! I also used the flower from Itty Bitty Bits, because I am LOVING the clear mount stamps. In my opinion, the stamp the same as the wood mount and I am all for the smaller storage space! I recommend getting the clear stamps if you can afford the block investment!

SU Materials Used:

Stamps: Hello Again, Itty Bitty Bits

Paper: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla

Ink: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Wild Wasabi

Other: Square Lattice Embossing Folder, 3/4" Circle punch, punch

Maybe next time you can join me for my workshop! 8^)

And so it begins again...(AKA SC314)

I had so much fun doing the Sketch Challenge last year, that I decided to do it all again this year. You know what that means- at least 52 more cards for you to see this year. I hope you like seeing them as much as I like making them!

One last thing, don't expect them on time...case in point- I made this card 3 weeks ago and forgot to post it until now! :( Oh well, at least I finally remembered!

So here is the sketch:

And here is my card:

For the first time ever I also tried my had at a color challenge! This is also CC 304- Red, White, and Silver or Gray. I used Riding Hood Red for the card base, Truck and panel 4's frame. I used the Basic Gray DP for panel 2 and 3 and outlined it with Basic Gray Cardstock. I like the dimension that the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder added to Layer 1! I hope that the flowers on panel 2 don't make it look too girly as I made it for my brother-in-laws birthday!

SU Materials Used:

Stamps: Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories;

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray, Basic Gray DP, Whisper White;

Ink: Basic Gray

Thanks for stopping by!

SC313...aka, I DID IT!!!

Well, if you have read my blog at all this year you may have noticed I was doing the SplitCoastStampers Sketch Challenges A LOT...well that is because it was a New Years Resolution for 2010 to complete all the Sketch Challenges. At times I was several behind, but I managed to pull it off. On the morning of the 31st I finished the last 2 card sketches. I think I will try to do it again this year...it was challenging and fun as well. ;-)

Without further rambling, here is the sketch:

And here is my card:

I love the bear popping out of the rectangle, I am definitely going to do this again. ;-) I do like the cute little line of cupcakes and the paper pieced bowtie. For some reason I think it needs something else, but I can't decide what. Any suggestions? Maybe if I had another panel or used a colored card base. Hum. Well, here is hoping Spicy likes it anyway.

And here is the inside...see cute cupcakes, right?

SU Materials Used:

Stamps: Button Bear

Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Creamy Caramel

Ink: Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink

Thanks for stopping by...I am so excited I did the year of card sketches....can you tell? :-)

SC312

Here is the sketch:And here is my card:

Sorry the picture quality is so poor...Really it looks much better in person, I promise! The card base is Chocolate Chip- I know it looks purple, but trust me it is Chocolate Chip- and the Perfect Polka Dot embossed layer is Very Vanilla. The cake is colored with Pretty in Pink and Pink Pirouette, the cake plate is Rose Red. I used a Gelly roll glitter pen on the icing, candle flame and cake plate. Okay, I just can't get over how bad this picture is so I am going to make this short.

SU Materials Used:

Stamps: Bitty Birthday;

Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink,

Ink: Basic Brown, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette;

Other: Perfect Polka Dots

Thanks for stopping by!