CAS(E) this Sketch #58

Oh my, time (and the wrapping paper) is a flyin'!! BUT we are hoping that you can squeeze in some creative card making over the holidays and play along at CAS(E) this  Sketch #58. This challenge runs through the 9th of January 2014, thus allowing three weeks of leisurely crafting. Also, please welcome Miss Sage into the spotlight....our latest (and youngest!) guest designer! Great job Sage!
Me? I'll be organizing my craft space and then, hopefully, making more of a mess, just for the fun of it all!
Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday and a joyous New Year!

CAS(E) this Sketch #57

Welcome to CAS(E) this Sketch #57! We hope that you'll join in, even though this may be THE busiest time of the year for many! Oh, and I haven't even begun to assemble our holiday photo cards. Ahh, plenty of time!

This is not your traditionally hued holiday card. I wanted to use some of my SSS monthly kit items (which have been sorely neglected of late) and chose some soft,natural colors. 

Please take a peek at CTS#57 ( Joni's very first sketch.... woo hoo!) and play along!

CAS(E) this Sketch #56

Hi all and welcome to CAS(E) this Sketch #56! Hope that everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving! We had a relaxing time..... lots of food, a little shopping, and alot of family time. That's how it should be, right? I also had the pleasure of meeting Chrissy Larson (live and in person!), her three lovely boys, and very nice husband. I so appreciated that they took a bit of time out from their 1,000 mile trip to stop at our home and talk crafts and family (and have a few cookies)!
Please join in the fun at CTS #56! Be sure to link up your card(s) by Thursday, December 12th!

Although it's very difficult to appreciate the dimension of this card (because I'm such a wonderful photographer... NOT!), the triangular  panel on the left is mounted on foam tape, with strips of color behind the die cut dots and edged in black. Oh so much better IRL.

CASE Study Challenge #167

It's a snowy, winter wonderland here in upstate NY. Just a bit early for the biting cold though! So, I'll just keep myself warm while crafting away. I loved Keisha Campbell's beautiful card- a great chevron patterned background and some pretty florals- and created this for CASE Study Challenge #167!

Muse Challenge #44

Since most of the basement is unpacked I believe that I now know where almost all of my crafting products are! All but that pesky static removing tool! Hmmm.........  So,please don't look too closely at this little card - there are quite a few boo boos! However, Marion Vagg's Muse Challenge  #44 example was just too cute- love the black and white with the pops of floral- and I had to give it a go!

CTS #55....play it again!

Love CAS(E) this Sketch #55! The paper, scissors and stamps are a-flyin'!! 

CAS(E) this Sketch #55

It's time for CAS(E) this Sketch #55, another lovely one.... courtesy of Karolyn Loncon! AND, it's a two week challenge! So, there's plenty of time for turkey, football, family time, more turkey and lots of crafting! I have many, many ideas for this sketch bouncing around in my head, so I hope to post a few more (and hope that you will join in too!).
Thanks for visiting and have a happy, happy holiday!

CAS(E) this Sketch #54

Hi all! Welcome to CASE(E) this Sketch #54!
We had our first snow of the season, so I was feeling the need to use my new PTI snowflake die. I really, really wanted to use a beautiful red/aqua/cream patterned paper (LOVE that combo!), but instead went with the lovely coral color that I seem to be quite enamored with lately! Guess that it's time to put some other colors to work??
We can't wait to see what you have created, so please join in!

CAS(E) this Sketch #53

Welcome to CAS(E) this Sketch #53! This week's design, by Chrissy Larson, is lovely..... crisp, clean and a bit more graphic/contemporary to my eye.  So, out went my usual florals and in came a more linear look. I'm not sure that I've captured exactly what I was aiming for, but I'm definitely challenging myself in thinking outside of my normal box. It's a good thing!

P.S.- Guess that i was more than just a little obsessed with PTI's Soft Stone??

                                                                   Or this??

CAS(E) this Sketch #52!

A truly loverly sketch awaits at CTS #52! 
I was just a bit obsessed with using my Dear Lizzy 6x6 pad and had many versions of this card/sketch. But, just one teensy problem ..... I am somewhat challenged in using my patterned papers, though I love them so! I would normally be creating like crazy in the basement, but my mother is visiting from NC and our new fur baby has a way of requiring lots of love, snuggles and "clean up on aisle #4" attention!
Please join in the fun at CAE(E) this Sketch #52! We can't wait to see what you've created!

CAS(E) this Sketch #51

I am so happy to be back with CAS(E) this Sketch #51 - a lovely design by N@Ali! I decided that I should warm up the holiday stamps, preferably sometime before December! So.... be on the lookout for a few more holiday tags and/or cards!
Please join us in creating something beautiful for CTS #51!

Kitty Camouflage!

Here's the new addition to our family..... a Bengal/DSH, 11 week old love bug from Rock-n-Rescue (Thanks Juli)! What a bundle of energy! Guess I know what will be keeping us busy for the next few months/years!

CAS(E) this Sketch #50

It's time for CAS(E) this Sketch #50...... the 50th inspirational, beautiful, knock-your--creative-socks-off sketch! I used more of my rustic cream and kraft card stock, a PTI linen EP (so hard to photograph), a bargain MME stamp set ($1 from Marshall's....of all places!) and just a little bit 'o sparkle!

Please join us in creating with this incredibly versatile sketch! Perhaps it's time to break out the holiday stamps and do a bit more card and/or tag making!

Take Two: CTS #49

Here was my original design for CAS(E) this Sketch #49. However, I decided that it was not sufficiently "clean and simple", and there really wasn't nearly enough stamping going on! I employed Kelly Griglione's burlap technique here, and on my other CTS #49 card. Many thanks to Kelly for helping me to save a few crafting dollars!

CAS(E) this Sketch #49

Happy Fall y'all! Oh.... it has been SO lovely here- crisp nights and warm, sunny 70 degree days! My idea of perfect weather!

Here is my creation for CTS #49! We are so looking forward to your interpretation of Karolyn's beautiful sketch! It seems that I am not the only one who loves/prefers to create from a sketch as all of you have been contributing some a-mazing interpretations.... and making my privileged job of choosing one, or ten, that I love quite challenging! Keep 'em coming!

I've been spending some time in the craft area, attempting to organize. Of course, my darling spouse has his ideas as to how this space should be arranged, which doesn't necessarily line up with my plan! However, I definitely see a trip to Ikea in our future!

CAS(E) this Sketch #48

I was on a major PTI Mini Blooms bender there for a while. That is, 'til my Bigger Blooms set arrived! However, the poor little things have been sorely neglected..... until now! So, here is my floral ode to CTS #48! Oh how I love this sketch- endless creative possibilities! Please join in the fun!

Cardstock: PTI Rustic White, Orange Zest
Ink: PTI Simply Chartreuse, Royal Velvet, Memento Tangelo
Stamps: PTI Bigger Blooms, Hear-2-Heart #7
Enamel Dots

CAS(E) this Sketch #47

Oh, such a pretty sketch from Chrissy Larson! Love the wave-y motion! I made this card many times and finally settled on the first version with the oh-so-lovely Avery Elle sequins. Or perhaps the simplified version #2?
Please join us in creating with CTS #47!

CAS(E) this Sketch #46

Hi all! Welcome to CTS #46, with a lovely and oh-so-versatile sketch by Karolyn Loncon.  I wanted to give my SSS Monthly Kit a little (very little!) workout and use some things that I normally do not (i.e. the tiny and adorable wood veneer shapes and some brighter, less pastel-y colors). Kinda makes me think outside of  my creative box. It's a good thing! Also, I'm still working on finding that "perfect" photo taking spot in our new home - your patience is much appreciated!
So.... please join us over at CAS(E) this Sketch and give it a go!

CAS(E) this Sketch #45

Greetings! I am so glad to join in with the CTS gals again! After looking at many of the new stamp releases, I guess that I was feeling some of that holiday spirit (and a few of my stamps are feeling a bit neglected)! Although, it still seems way too early..... considering the fact that the temps are hovering around 90 today!

Anyway, a very simple card for my addled brain. Still unpacking and finding the need to search for every little thing. BUT, we are on the upswing so I can feel some creativity/productivity comin'. I only wish that a POD full of stuff, delivered this very morning, was not sitting in the middle of the driveway!

CAS(E) this Sketch #44....The Good News Should Always Come First!

First, some really GREAT news..... I am a new member of the CAS(E) this Sketch Design Team! I am thrilled to be creating with some amazingly talented women and am so looking forward to my very first DT experience!

Please take a peek at CTS #44 and join in the fun!

We have made the move from our neighborhood of 25 years to a new home! I hope to be more productive once we tackle a bit of the unpacking. Yup, that would be the bad news. Jeez, just look at that mess in the unfinished basement! The upside, however, is three windows (yay, lots of natural light!) and a door to a lovely backyard! Wish me luck in establishing my new craft space!
I look forward to joining the CTS crew and can't wait to see what you've created!

CTS #42

I may have mentioned (about a billion times) that I really should be sorting, purging and packing. BUT, card making is so much more fun! 

In digging through the mess I've found many, many bits and pieces..... created goodness knows how long ago. So, using up some of those bits and playing along with CTS #42!

Monogram Mania

Well.... I am be just a bit obsessed with my new Wplus9 stamps - Monogrammed and Banner Basics (I got a few others too, of course!). So lovely! I made a set of notecards for my mother. I made a set for my mother-in-law. Perhaps another for moi?? Inspiration abounds... look here, here or here! 

CASE Study Challenge #150

Hi all! Hope that you are weathering the high temps! I am hiding out in my nice, cool basement while creating for the CASE Study Challenge #150! I love Jocelyn's bright colors, the circular pattern, and all of that lovely white space.... although, my version is a bit softer! 

CAS(E) this sketch #36

Hi all! Since the temps are soaring here, I'm staying in and doing a bit of crafting (and laundry)!
I always enjoy a good sketch so I'm joining in at CAS(E) this sketch #36. Take a peek because there are so many beautiful examples!