Sketch It Saturdays #172

Hello friends. I just finished teaching a card class at my local scrapbook store and full time job, Creations Galore. I love nothing more than inspiring others to create. I'll be sharing the cards we created with you this coming week. But today I'm here with another sketch and Piggyback challenge from Unscripted Sketches. The challenge this week is to use this color theme with the sketch below: 

And here's the card I created for the challenge:

I used a stamp set called Vintage Filigree Fancies from Just Rite for today's card. The floral background was created from the single flower stamp in this set. I had a little trouble with this color combination at first, and then it hit me to stamp in the teal. 

There are a variety of sayings in the stamp set, and the filagrees definitely bring a touch of elegance to each one.  

Thanks for stopping by. Make sure to visit Unscripted Sketches to see more inspiration. The US Design Team rocked it this week. So many great cards. We hope you'll join us and play along! 

CARD SUPPLIES

Cardstock: Paper Cut, American Crafts

Stamps: Just Rite (Vintage Filigree Fancies)

Inks: Memento (Rich Cocoa), Marvy (Turquoise)

Ink Mist Guest Post

I created a scrapbook layout and tutorial on the Creations Galore blog today. Head over to discover how you can create one-of-a-kind patterned papers with ink mists. 

Dino-Mite: Sketch It 171

Good morning! Today's card was created using Sketch 171 from Unscripted Sketches as inspiration. These adorable stamps immediately came to mind when I saw the circles in this week's sketch. 

I'd love to see your take on the sketch. Head over to Unscripted Sketches to see what the rest of the Design Team created and enter your own project. 

 CARD SUPPLIES
Cardstock: Paper Cut
Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black
Ribbon: Gary Berlin Green Grosgrain

Happy Middle-Of-The-Week-Is-Friday-Here-Yet?!

My roommate, Rachael, and I are in the middle of a crazy project: Apartment Remodel. Only sane people re-decorate, re-organize, re-model one room at a time. We decided to re-do our kitchen, living room, bedroom, closets, bathroom, dining room, and office/craft room/art studio all at once! It seemed like a reallllllllly smart idea to buy all the furniture at once, put it all together at once, and invite over strong men to move it around all at once. That 'all at once' is kicking our rears. Our house is a ca-raaaa-zy disaster. However, there are little glimmers of hope. Such as the beauty below found in the new craft room:

That's Alice, my pretty dress form, who has been standing proudly in a corner of the dining room the last two years. I'm ashamed to admit it! I believe she'll be quite happy in her new home... a place where she actually belongs! 

I picked up some acid free cardboard backing from our local comic book store to create my own bolts of fabric. They had packs of 100 for only $9 and were beyond excited to hear my plans for the cardboard. I've gone through a pack and a half and still have 2 bins and 3 bags full of fabric. Can we say hoarder?! 

Rachael helped me put together a few white bookcases which now line one of the walls in the room. So many projects and ideas come to mind as I arrange all the fabric by color on the shelves. I'm not sure what I'll do first. 

More pictures of my crafting haven and the rest of our cozy abode will be shared with you as it all comes together. I apologize for the lack of creative energy displayed on the blog lately, but rest assured: As soon as this remodel is complete, you won't be able to stop me from crafting! 

Side note: I'm a little addicted to instagram. You can see more photos by clicking here.

Wandering...

"Not all those who wander are lost." J. R. R. Tolkien

Every time I visit New York, I always enjoy stepping out of the subway and wandering a bit. A new restaurant, a cute shop... I've found some great places by just walking. The wonders of wandering are not limited to New York City... or just a big city. Let me take a moment to encourage you to get out and explore your surroundings, whether new or familiar. 

I created this page using a sketch from Unscripted Sketches as a title page for a scrapbook that will hold pictures, reciepts, and various ephemera from my wanderings around the city over the last few years. 

The papers I used in this LO were from a variety of paper packs and collections I've purchased in the last few years... just like the contents of the album. 

I love ripping paper. It creates a wonderful texture that's far easier and faster than hauling out my embossing folders and die cutting machine.

Here's a better look at the photos preserved on the page. I took them while wandering around Fifth Avenue back in February... just click on the photo for a larger view.

Care to see the sketch that inspired me? I'd love to see what you come up with.

Light Up My Life - Card Challenge

The Hillbilly Holler sets from Peachy Keen Stamps are bound to brighten anyone's day... They sure make me smile. I've used this image from Set One multiple times, coloring him in with my Copic markers and giving him rosy cheeks. Head over to Peachy Keen Stamps to see all the other fun images available. 

I was always terrified of eyelets. It may have been about 2 years after I started card making that I actually watched a YouTube video on how to set them. It's so easy and is such a fun embellishment. If you were like me and a little scared to take the plunge, let me encourage you to head to your local scrapbook store and ask them for help... or find a video to try it out at home. Knowing how simple it is to set an eyelet now, I'm almost embarrassed to admit I was ever hesitant to experiment with them. Are there any tools or techniques that "scare" you?

Today's card was inspired by Sketch 276 from Card Positioning Systems. Visit CPS to show off your take on the sketch... there's even a nice price available. 

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy your Thursday friends!

CARD SUPPLIES

Cardstock: Paper Cut, We R Memory Keepers

Patterned Paper: We R Memory Keepers (Hall Pass Collection)

Stamps: Peachy Keen Stamps (Hillbilly Holler Set One)

Inks: Memento (Bamboo Leaves, Tuxedo Black)

The Power of Handwriting

A Picasso painting would be worthless were it not for his signature along the bottom of the canvas. The same is true for you!

I've gathered together some tips for improving your handwriting, ideas on how to add it to your digital, hybrid, and traditional pages, and thoughts on why your individual handwriting is so important to document. You can find it all today at the Creations Galore blog. 

Do you like your handwriting? Do you use it on your scrapbook pages and mini albums... or do you shy away because you feel it will ruin your work? 

I hope you'll head over to the blog and find a little encouragement. Your handwriting is very much a part of you and your story!