Sites of the week

I have had a lot of people ask me how I come up with my sketches. Sometimes it’s something I draw on paper and other times I just get to making the sketch on the computer and I’ll see how it comes out. This sketch falls into the latter category. I was actually pretty nervous about creating a card with it, but it turned out to be a pretty fun sketch to work with. I hope that you will feel the same!

I’m writing this post on Friday night and I have to admit that I am going to keep it short and sweet for this simple reason…Tony brought home Season 2 of Dexter on DVD. Is anyone else totally intrigued with this show? We don’t have Showtime, so I haven’t seen any of these episodes yet. If you recall, my DVR died in the middle of Season 1’s finale. I did end up seeing it in full and now I am “dying” to see the next season! Yes, it’s a bit morbid, but I like it. At one point I really wanted to go into forensics and work with all of that icky stuff that I wouldn’t touch with a 10 foot pole these days. I decided against it because I can be an emotional person and I would have to turn that completely off at work, and I was afraid that I would bring the “off” me home. Does that even make sense?

Oh yea, short and sweet…

Be sure to check out the samples from Amy R. {who is the inspiration for my card…I love how she uses the SU! set}, Amy S., Carole, Shannan and Susan {who we hope survived Six Flags with a four year old in 95 degree heat on Friday}.

So, here’s the sketch…

My sample with a boat that I made myself {I didn’t like how the stamp was stamping…LOL!}…

I {heart} the Guest Designer this month…Bonnie Sharp! Isn’t this gorgeous!!??!!

I hope that you will play along!! When uploading to SCS, please use the keyword SFYTT. The stars are meant to represent an embellishment of choice. Have fun with it!

HAPPY FRIDAY!! Actually, Happy ABC Friday! First, here’s the winner from last week’s Sketch For You To Try participants…

#29 Jen Tapler with THIS CARD. Congrats Jen! Please email me your info {link under my pic}.

If you’ve been reading the last couple days, I know that I {heart} my project for today. I don’t mean to sound like I am gloating, seriously. Sometimes though, you just create something and you want to shout, “I did this!” So, are you laughing at me, with me or just rolling your eyes now? LOL! Let’s just say there was an “A-HA…light bulb ON” moment when I realized the tubes fit into the box.

Psst…your eyes are deceiving you. All the labels line up straight. HA! Ok, so I was a little sloppy there! So what the heck is this, anyways? It’s a coffee lover’s gift set that was created for the Verve Stamps Project Parade inspiration piece…

So how much are you craving one of these calorie-free-in-your-wildest-dreams beverages?? Yea, me too. See ya at Starbucks, k?

I created this from a clear plastic card box and four clear plastic tubes. Both can be found HERE. A few more shots of the project…

The labels were generated on the computer, printed out on label paper and then stamped over and punched out.

Here’s the template. Please note that this falls under copyright and I ask that you do not use this for distribution or personal gain. THANK YOU!!

Cut along red lines. This is not to scale and should be used as a reference for your project.

See you manana for another SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY!

Keep It Simple, Stupid. Sometimes I have to remind myself that less in more on occasion and it’s A-OK to keep things on the simpler side. I have to share that I saw a lady wearing a shirt that said “Keep It Stupid, Simple.” I kinda laughed, then rolled my eyes and just said to myself, “It’s Saginaw, Jen!!” LOL!
Anywhooo…this card is for the sketch for Julee’s edition of Meet The Verve Divas on SCS. What is that? Well, for the past few Thursdays and for the next few to come, a member of the Verve Stamps Design Team is featured on the Verve Forum on SCS. Each diva has a challenge to go along with being featured and you can poke and prod to get to know her. I’ve actually learned a few things about these girls along the way. My Thursday isn’t until the end of September and I will give you fair warning when it is coming .
Here is the sketch that Julee has posted {psst…there’s a prize to win if you participate, too!! YAY!}

I think that I may have missed a layer, but I am not quite sure. Either way, I like how this came out. I think that it would be a great set if I did a bunch of these in different colors {maybe all the In Colors}. They certainly wouldn’t take long to produce and I think several in a new box would have a little bit of a WOW factor. What’cha think?

See ya tomorrow for ABC Friday!…did I tell you that I am SO EXCITED about my project?!?!

It’s the 20th, and the 20th of each month brings 2 things to me, creatively at least… Today is Celebrate MFT Day and it’s also the Dirty Dozen {past and present} challenge.

Are you asking “What is Celebrate MFT Day”? Well, we hold it on the 20th each month {this is a day that for the most part does not conflict with major stamp co. releases}. It’s simply a day to get out your MFT stamps {new or old} and just stamp for fun. In the coming months we will be incorporating challenges, but for now it’s just a stampin’ day! I’ll let you in on a secret…we were supposed to start the challenges this month, but I totally forgot about it, so we are waiting. LOL!! You can see the SCS post HERE, there is a little more info about a prize up for grabs, too. For this card I used the Joy Fold from the top. You can how to do this kind of card HERE. The stamps are MFT, of course, and are from the “What’s The Story” set. I really like the colors that Papertrey has been coming out with and I chose to incorporate them in this card. I used Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, Spring Moss and their patterned paper. The flower was sent to me from the super duper talented Daniela Dobson. I will admit that I have been hoarding these for quite some time, but I am glad that I finally used one!

Next up is my card for the Dirty Dozen/Dirty Dozen Alumni August Challenge. The deets for this challenge are as follows:

Challenge Focus: BIRTHDAY!
Required Element: NUMBERS!! You can use stamps, die cuts, embossing folders, chipboard… whatever kind of number you can get your hands one!
Restricted Element: You can’t use the word “birthday.” Be creative in wishing someone a happy birthday!
Keyword: DCB808 (for Dirty Challenge Birthday August 08 )

All stamps on this one are from The Cat’s Pajamas. If you missed yesterday’s post, see it below for this week’s challenge: blue and orange. The DP on this one is from We R Memory Keepers. I LOVE it! Time to start hoarding tho, bc I think I only have one piece and the closest store that carries it is over an hour away…EEEK!

I have to tell ya that yesterday I worked on my ABC Friday Project, which is also going to be part of the upcoming Project Parade on the Verve blog…OMG! Have you ever been so happy with yourself? Well, I am. Go ahead and slap me on the wrist for saying so, but I can’t wait ’til Friday to show this to ya!! I’ll be posting tomorrow, too, but I just “HAD” to say something about Friday. **giddy**

Finally I am posting my award…

Elizabeth..THE ELZYBELLS CHICK…gave this to me! Thank you! I know that there are all these “rules” that go with this, but there is no way I could pick just a few people to give this to. I really do appreciate, tho! Thank you!!

This sentiment just CRACKS ME UP! Tony rolled his eyes as I got a good chuckle out of showing him the card that I made for this week’s TCP Tuesday. Toni is challenging everyone to use blue and orange…which happen to be complimentary colors on the color wheel. At least I think so. LOL! My color theory relies on how my scraps line up and if I like that combo. I am an art class drop out. I loathed each and every minute in there and when I left I never turned back. Oh, if she could see me now. She is referring to my 7th grade art teacher who assumed that I understood what she was saying. To do this day when I teach my stamping classes, I tell everyone that I have NO IDEA about anything artistic, but I am happy that stamping lets me fake it. Isn’t that the truth!?! LOL!

Anywhooooo…here’s the card I’m yapping about…

The image and sentiment are from The Cat’s Pajamas…of course. The DP is SEI and I think this is a sheet that I pulled from the bargain bin. American Crafts ribbon tops off the main panel. Does the layout look familiar? It’s just a slightly modified version of this week’s SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY {see the post right under this one}. Don’t forget, those that participate this week will be entered for some goodies from me. I’ll announce that winner on Friday morning.

Wanna play in THIS challenge {oh me, oh my, so many challenges and such going on!!}? Here’s what you are gonna need to know…

1. Each a week one of the The Cat’s Pajamas DT Members will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, color, theme/inspiration, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until {this} Saturday night to complete the challenge.
4. Link your project on this week’s hostess’ challenge announcement. This week you will link your project HERE on Toni’s post.
5. TCP stamps are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. {Unless it is a challenge calling for a specific stamp}
6. There will be one winner each month. They will be deemed that month’s Swankiest Stamper and get $25 in Cat’s Cash {money to spend on the TCP site!}.
7. When uploading to SCS, please use the keyword TCPTUES21 for this challenge.
8. Alma will post the entries from the week the following Monday on her blog.
9. The newly crowned Swanky Stamper will be announced on the First of the Month and have his/her winning entry posted on The Cat’s Pajamas website where he/she will reign for the entire month.
10. Oh yea…HAVE FUN!