CAS(E) this Sketch #104

Oh my.... it's time for CTS #104 and Leigh has created this lovely! There were so many ideas bouncing around in my head that I've surely overdone/over thought it - I was so trying to keep it clean and simple.

We hope that everyone will join in the fun at CAS(E) this Sketch #104, because there's oodles of time to create ('til January 8, 2015!).

Best wishes for a Happy Holiday and a fantastic New Year!

CAS(E) this Sketch #103

Here's a beautifully CAS sketch by Sam! We hope that you'll be inspired by CTS #103 and, of course, what the DT has created!
Yes, I'm still in holiday mode! And this is my "Noel Series"-  I was having quite the time crafting something that I was totally thrilled with, so you get to see 'em all! Same color scheme, same lovely Avery Elle 'Noel" stamp, same snowflake die. Once I get goin' I tend to arrange and rearrange many of the same elements. Does anyone else work this way?
SO....step away from the wrapping paper and join in the fun at CAS(E) this Sketch #103!

CAS(E) this Sketch #102

Happy Thursday and welcome to CTS #102! Here's a beautiful sketch from Gayatri.....and don't you just love those tiny little butterflies (note to self-need more butterfly stamps/dies!)? Be sure to take a peek at what the CAS(E) this Sketch DT has created!!
P.S. - A warm welcome to NEW DT member, Hannelie!!

CTS#101... Take Two!

Here's one more for CAS(E) this Sketch #101! Still trying to create that perfect holiday card... and not sure that this is it. Maybe just a little too much dimension for mass mailing, but some very pretty sparkle irl! Not sure why I don't emboss more often, b/c the silvers and golds add that perfect bit of shine.

Papertrey Ink's MIM #190: Stamping a Plaid Background

I've never attempted to make my own plaid background, but PTI's Make It Monday Challenge #190 is a good excuse to give it a go! Here is a petite 3 1/2 x 5 (4 bar) card - using one of my favorite color combos, red/aqua, and a mask for the center plaid. The snowflake is glittered up.... much prettier irl! Take a peek at the other beautiful examples here!

CAS(E) this Sketch #101

Welcome to CTS#101, a beautiful sketch by N@Ali! Guess that I was not the only one with 'holiday' on the brain, so lots of lovely inspiration for all of your December/winter celebrations. 
Can't wait to see who's won the CTS#100 challenge - tune in on Saturday morning to find out!! And, please join in (two weeks for this challenge...Happy Thanksgiving!) and create your own masterpiece for CAS(E) this Sketch #101!

P.S. Happy Beaujolais Nouveau DAY!

Totally Tag Obsessed

I recently visited my not-quite-local stamp store, Buffalo Stamps and Stuff,where they are having a month long "Fall Five" celebration! Each Saturday in November there's a special deal, ending on November 29th (a.k.a. "Small Business Saturday"). I don't know about you, but I am more than happy to support a small business, and especially a locally owned STAMP store! I'm all into that instant gratification thing. Anyway, I purchased another holiday stamp, an adorable one ("Snow Day") from Lawn Fawn. And...I may or may not have gotten just a teeny bit obsessed with holiday tag making, thanks to Lawn Fawn, MFT and Tracey McNeely's 25 Days of Christmas Tags event! Hey, this is only the tip of the iceberg! Stay tuned!
P.S. Techniques/tips appreciated re: tag photos!

CAS(E) this Sketch #100!!

Wow! Can you believe that this is CAS(E) this Sketch #100? A milestone I tell ya'!! We have oodles of surprises- a plethora of projects from past design team members and perhaps a special little something for the winner of CTS #100! 

Here's a beautiful sketch from our fearless leader, Chrissy! So be sure to join in..... tons of inspiration, tons of FUN!!

CAS(E) this Sketch #99

Welcome to CTS #99! Michelle Williams has created this week's beauty (her very first sketch for CTS!!) and we hope that you'll be inspired to play along!
When I first laid eyes on this sketch I envisioned a graphic, Batman kinda card. Remember those 'Bat-Fight" words? KAPOW, CRASH, WHACK! Nope... didn't go in that direction. Instead, you are seeing the softer, Batgirl-y floral version.
AND a warm welcome to this week's Guest Designer, Kelly!

MIM Miscellany!

Well......guess that I got a little carried away/obsessed with Laurie's MIM #186 technique! So, here are a few more for the gallery!
P.S. - Sorry, perhaps a bit bow happy. Do over in the AM possible.

MIM #186.... take two

One more for Papertrey's MIM #186! Simple design, happy colors, and a few die cuts.
Happy Thursday and thanks for taking a peek!

CAS(E) this Sketch #98!

Time for CAS(E) this Sketch #98! I can't wait to see how you're inspired by Gayatri's sketch and the DT's interpretations. 
In lieu of patterned paper I've used stamps (a SSS kit from last holiday season) and some pretty non-traditional colors.
We hope that you'll join in the fun, so hop over to CTS #98!

MIM #186- Partial Die Stamping

Oh how I love Papertrey Ink's MIM #186 technique! My mind is awhirl with ideas (and I have lots of help with inspiration from Laurie, Laura, Marion, Amy and the MIM gallery!). Going with a holiday project...... again (and wish I'd made this in white-ah well, back to the drawing board).
Everything is PTI, with the exception of my ubiquitous L'il Inkers stitched rectangle! Can't wait to try this technique again and again!

October 2014 PTI Blog Hop - Take Two!

Here we are with take two for Papertrey's October Blog Hop! This time using combo #2. And, yes, these colors are right up my alley!

October 2014 PTI Blog Hop - Take One!

It's time for Papertrey Ink's October Blog Hop! I've chosen color combo #5, and it's quite a challenge as these are colors I would not normally reach for. So... a good lesson for today! And, a bit of a head start on holiday cards/tags. Yay!
Hop on over for some amazing inspiration!

CAS(E) this Sketch #97

Welcome back to CTS #97! Here's a great sketch from Sam.... just love those butterflies! I so wanted to use that shape, but no matter how I worked it I just kept coming back to my new MFT Christmas Cuteness stamps and dies (thanks to the oh-so-generous My Favorite Things stamps for choosing me as a WCMD winner this month!).
We hope that you'll join in the fun and create something fabulous for CAS(E) this Sketch #97! And....a bit of applause for our fabulous guest designer, Hannelie!!

Festive Friday Challenge #42

Playin' along with my very first Festive Friday Challenge! I drew a bit of inspiration from Chrissy (she's the Guest Designer - yay!) so had to join in!

Using a lovely, circa 2010, set from Schlosser Designs (Furnishing Fun) that has an oh-so-adorable chair stamp (lightly kiss-ed with a HA background), some bits from my new PTI Tinsel & Tags Sprigs, and an AE bow from Winter Wreath!

Pure and simple CASE!

Yes, a shameful CASE  (well, almost exactly) of Katie's card because I just LOVED it SO - loved the colors, loved the layout, etc.!! You get the idea! Since I do not own these particular AE stamps,  I duplicated the look with PTI's Peace, Joy and Love mini and Tinsel & Tags Sprigs stamp sets! 
Yup, it's about time to jump on the holiday card/tag bandwagon!

CAS(E) this Sketch #96!

Happy Fall y'all! Here is my take on CTS #96, a beautiful sketch from N@Ali! As you can see, I've gone in the floral direction, but sort of a 'graphic' floral (an older set from Pink Persimmon-"Flower Garden"). Also used my Lil' Inkers Connected Circles die and a HA background stamp. Still lovin' that yellow/gray combo too!

Please join in the fun at CAS(E) this Sketch (a two week challenge)! There's bound to be something to inspire - take a peek!
Aaand.... please welcome our guest designer, Deanne!

CAS(E) this Sketch #95!

Happy Thursday to all! Please peruse another great sketch by the ever so lovely Chrissy! 

My first thought for CTS #95 was to make a card that was masculine/unisex, crisp and clean. However, it seems that this is not my forte, and thus, the more girly pink/orange version prevailed! Still... pretty 'graphic' for me (See? No flowers in sight!).
We'd love it if you would join us! Give sketch #95 a try!
P.S.- A warm welcome to guest designer, Diana!

12 Kits of Occasions - REWIND!

Hi all! I am SO excited to join in the fun over at 12 Kits of Occasions Blog, where this month you will see not only the amazing DT's creations, but also cards/projects from many of the 2014 Guest Designers! The idea is to use those remaining supplies from any/all previous kits. And, let me tell ya', those kits are usually packed to the gills with great die cuts, CS, patterned papers, stamped images, etc.! I was very fortunate to have been the January 2014 guest and as I still had a few bits and pieces remaining, I've contributed a few cards to this "Rewind" month.

Be sure to take a peek at the 12 Kits blog, and prepare to be inspired!

CAS(E) this Sketch #94!

Well, it seems that I am on a bit of a holiday card binge and CAS(E) this Sketch #94 is the perfect inspiration (thank you Donna!).  One can never have enough Christmas/Holiday/New Year cards, in my humble opinion. Perhaps we will even send out a few cards this year!! 
Please take a peek at the DT's projects and then...... create away! Can't wait to see how you have been inspired!

                    

Dies: Wonderful Words: Holiday, Building Blocks Die Collection (PTI), Stitched Rectangles (Li'l Inkers)

Dies: Building Blocks (PTI), Folk Art Alphabet(Wplus9), Leafy Sprig (Poppy Stamps), Stitched Rectangles (Li'l Inkers)

CAS(E) this Sketch #93!

Happy Thursday to all! CAS(E) this Sketch #93 is back with a lovely sketch from Gayatri! And, oh, just wait until you see what the DT has crafted.  So many different takes, so much creative swag goin' on! 
It used to concern me that my version of a sketch was often quite different than the other DT team members. But I guess that this is kind of the point, right? I love to look at other challenge blog and see variety and, frequently, a style that jives with my own esthetic (thus, jump starting my creativity!). Hope that CTS #93 does the same for you -please join in!!

CTS #92... Take Two!

Here are a few more outtakes from CTS #92 - all variations on the same theme. Guess that I was bound and determined to use this cute stamp set again, which I believe I purchased a few years ago during a phenomenal sale at Michael's! I bought the baby boy version too.... probably because it was marked down to $1.99!! You just never know when these bargains might come in handy!