CTS #310

Good morning!!!  I swear to look out my window, I would think I'm visiting my parents in upstate New York.  We have SO much snow.  Luckily, we are also having the temps they would have rather then our normal Iowa temps of right around zero.  I have issues with having snow and it being too cold to enjoy.  Luckily, that hasn't been the case this year and the boys are LOVING it.  We went sledding down in the pasture and it was snow (he he he) much fun!  I thought I'd share a couple shots I got of boys zooming by me!

These are from last week before we got this most recent snow so I can only imagine what it would be like to try to hike out to our little hill now!  Ha ha ha.  Now, I'm sure you didn't stop by to hear me chat about snow...you are interested in this week's CAS(E) this Sketch challenge, right?  Well, here's my card:

I needed some sympathy cards and decided to work on them for this sketch because it is so simple and open ended.  Got to love that!  I grabbed some fun dotted patterned paper and then cut my two rectangles from a light pink patterned paper.  After attaching these, I stamped a portion of my sentiment on the large rectangle and got to work die cutting.  I cut tons of flower and layered them with leaves and enamel dots to form a base for my sentiment die cut.  I cut the "Blessed" in navy and layered two cuts for a little extra pop.  I stuck everything in place and that's about it.  Simple but I still think perfect for the sketch and to let someone know I care.  Here's a closer look:

Thanks so much for checking out my card today!  See you over at CAS(E) this Sketch!!

Some of the product links included are affiliate links. You can use them at no cost to you with a big thanks from me!

Perky Posies Shop at: LID	Inspired: Blessed Die Shop at: Other	Inspired: Blessed Mini Stamp Set Shop at: Other	Creekside Paper Pack Shop at: SC
Neenah Solar White 110lb Cardstock Shop at: SC	Echo Park Alice In Wonderland Enamel Dots Shop at: SC	Scrapbook Adhesives Foam Squares (Black) Shop at: SC	Scotch ATG Adhesive Gun Shop at: SC
Sizzix Big Shot Shop at: SC

CTS #305

Hello everyone!  Thanks so much for stopping by to check out my take on this week's CAS(E) this Sketch challenge!  The boys and I have been running around making sure everything is ready for some yucky weather we are supposed to be expecting tomorrow.  Most of the snow we had is gone so I guess it's time for some more.  I could live without the dropping temp and the wind but I guess it is a good excuse to get some card making in and relax with my boys.

I hope you are having a great week and are ready to play along with us.  I love this sketch and I couldn't wait to get creating.  Here's my take:

I just can't help but pull out this awesome set from Papertry Ink over and over.  It is so simple and perfect.  It's the Sending You Comfort Stamp Set and it is perfect for so many things.  Today, I used it for a sympathy card.  I started with a kraft card base and stamped the solid leaves with Navy ink.  Next, I stamped and embossed the lined leaves with some rose gold embossing.  To finish it off, I stamped a sentiment on a strip of kraft and layered it with a bit of navy card stock.  Here's a closer peek:

I hope you enjoyed my take on this week's sketch and that I'll see your creations over at CAS(E) this Sketch.  Have a great weekend!!!

A Little Sympathy

Good morning!  I'm enjoying a little quiet time this morning before all the boys are up and ready to go.  My coffee is hot and my breakfast is tasty but my ear is still plugged.  At least, the rest of me is feeling better.  I hope you are all enjoying your morning and are gearing up for a great day.

Today, I'm sharing a couple of cards I made awhile ago for my hubby to use at the office.  He always needs a variety of cards for clients and I'm happy to have them be used.  Here's a look at what I created:

Talk about quick!  These cards didn't take long at all to create.  First I picked some patterned papers that I enjoyed and then some coordinating solid card stock.  I used the patterned paper for my card base and then layered a solid cut with the Lil' Inkers Designs Wrappers Delight: Lattice Die.  I love the touch of class this die adds to any card.  It's such a quick way to create interest on a card.  To finish it off, I added a quick sentiment with the With Sympathy Word Die.  Here's a closer look at the combos I came up with:

Thanks so much for checking in today!  I hope you have a great one!

With Sympathy

Good morning!  I see some sun this morning and it is totally making this a great Friday already.  The snow just sparkles so beautifully in the sun and it has been SO gloomy lately.  Luckily, it hasn't been as cold as it normally is this time of year.  It's always nice when it snows and is warm enough to actually enjoy it.  I hope you are all enjoying your morning no matter what the weather is like.

Today, I decided to share two cards that I made using the Inky Flower Stamp Set and With Sympathy Word Die.  Layered on the Dip Dyed Ombre Paper, it made a perfect sympathy card.

I made a bunch of these all at once because I struggle with sympathy cards, especially when I actually need one.  When I come up with a nice design, I make several to ensure I have them on hand.  I hate that I need a stash of sympathy cards but it is a fact of life.  To create this cards, I chose several colors of Lil' Inker Designs Dip Dyed Ombre Paper and cut them for my card fronts.  Then I stamped along the edges using Inky Flower in colors the either complimented the color of the paper or created a monochromatic look.  I didn't want either product to outshine the other or be too flashy.  I loved the combos I came up with as they looked simple and classy.  I then cut my sentiment using the With Sympathy Word Die cut from in papers that matched the ink I used on the card.  I toyed with the placement of my sentiment for awhile before deciding to use a little vellum to help it really stand out but not break the card up too much.  Here is a look at each card individually.

I also played around with the orientation of the vellum.  I really like them both and I hope you do too!  You'll have to check out these awesome products but you should also check out the Lil' Inker Designs blog!  Today is Flashback Friday and the cards Jessica shared are AMAZING.  Also the products she used are on sale:  Perky Posies Die Set, Sending You Stamps, and the Spring Flowers Die Set.  Make sure to check it out!

Here are the products I used today:

Inky Flowers

With Sympathy Greeting Die

Dip Dyed Ombre Paper Pad

Vellum

InLinkz.com

Sweet Stamp Shop: Sketches 2 Ways

It's a lovely Tuesday morning here in Iowa and I just wanted to pop on to the blog and let you know that I'm up over at the Sweet Stamp Shop blog.  In case you didn't know, I'm sharing a sneak peek at this week's CAS(E) this Sketch challenge that won't be on the blog until Thursday!  How fun is that?  So, go check me out.  I think you'll enjoy it!  Here's a peek of one of the cards I made...get over to the blog to see the whole thing!  ;)  See you guys tomorrow!

Sympathy

I hate making sympathy cards...I know I've said that before. I'm one of those people who just never knows what to say in a sad time and it makes me sad having to use a sympathy card. Besides not knowing what to say, I seem to have a mental block when it comes to designs for sympathy cards. Luckily, I had a little inspiration yesterday and I took advantage of it by making several of each design. Here's hoping these last me a long LONG time!

Here they are:


Hope you all are having an excellent day. I am making bread bowls for the cheeseburger soup we are having tonight! Yummy!

A little sympathy.

Unfortunately, I have found myself in need of some sympathy cards lately. For some reason, I have the worst time coming up with ideas for sympathy cards...much like I never know what to write in them. I'd love some ideas if anyone out there has any. Here's what I finally came up with for a card:

Why knew that the Country Life cartridge would be so useful! Thanks for looking and I'd love to hear or see some suggestions!