Sketch Frenzy Friday 8/1/14

Hello to all my blogging  friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

I am so loving this summer. I think it is because we are finally settling in to our home and neighborhood. When it is too hot out and I've worked up a sweat in the garden I can jump in the pool and cool off. Then sit on our patio dry off while I'm reading a book, then I can make my way upstairs and play in my craft room. I'm taking full advantage of the summer while I can. Life is good.

That's where I am at right now in my craft room. So let's talk about our sketch challenge for few minutes. Kathy Clark created this weeks sketch and it is a pretty one.  Great job Kathy!

I pretty much kept to the original sketch and created this card from it.

It's about as clean and simple as I can get with out going crazy adding more points of interest, texture or do dads to a card- lol.

While we are here let's look at the inside.

My hope was to make a bright and cheery looking summer card for you this week. I finally took advantage of the buy three DSP- (Designer Series Paper) get one free July special that SU was having. Even though I didn't use that much DSP it sure made an interesting focal image on the card. Just a touch of color was all it took.

The little flower vine was fun and really simple to make and it turned out so
pretty. I used the Bird Builder Punch and the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack to make it.

Here is a list of supplies I used to create this card.
Next week I am going to try the Stampin' Buddy format in lew of creating this list. Wish me luck!


Stamp Set- Bravo and Really Good Greetings.
Ink- Strawberry Slush.
Card Stock- Tangelo Twist, Crushed Curry, Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding Bermuda Bay and Whisper White.
DSP-  Confetti Celebration.
Punches- Bird Builder and Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack.
Embossing Folder- Delicate Designs.
Framelit Dies- Chalk Talk.
Misc- Basic Pearls, White Gel Pen and Tombo Mono Liquid Glue.

I hope you like this weeks sketch and find some time give it a try. We would love to see what you create from it. Add it to our blog page here http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Have a great week and try to get some stamp time in. Inky fingers are happy fingers!

Chat soon,
Patrice

July's VC_Rocks Blog Hop

Hello to all my blogging and Rocking friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!


I was so excited to find out the theme of this months Blog Hop was Fancy Folds and or 3D items. I really love both but, I had made two 3-D items before (I haven' sent those out yet Sorry!!!!!) so, I decided to make Fancy Fold cards this time around.
The inspiration for my cards came from the new Summer 2014 Card Maker Magazine. I'm showing you the front cover of the magazine because all the directions on how to make every card I am displaying are in it. I am not a great typist so it was easier to show you where you can get the directions rather than me  re-typing them or trying to explain them.

I made four new cards for you this Hop. The Magazine is packed full of fun ideas and great directions on how to do them. I have provided you with a video link on how to do one of the folds http://www.cardmakermagazine.com/video_play.html?id=106

Here is the first card it comes right off the front cover only with my little twist to it, Lower left hand side of the cover.

It's a Stair Step card. It only uses the mountain and valley folds. It was very simple and easy to make. I stamped  three rows of flowers using the masking technique.  This technique makes it look like one flower is behind or in front of another flower. It is best to use StazOn ink when stamping the images so there is no bleeding of the colors. Then, I hand colored each flower with SU Markers (so wish I had Blendabilities for this part). Next, I fussy cut each row of flowers out and taped them to the top of each mountain fold. Here is a look at the side so you can see all the stair steps. The fan almost blew the card off my picture taking box lol.

Now for the second card,

 This card is a little more technical but still very easy to do. One cut down the center with a couple folds here and there.  I find in making fancy fold cards like these that your Bone Folder is your new best friend. It really helps the cards stand up properly and make crisp clean folds. I used several punches on this card, Bird Builder, the new Itty Bitty Accents punch and an oldie but a goody the Scallop Trim Border Punch. Here is a look at the side so you can again see the fold. (The video link provided above shows how I made this card)

The next card is my favorite because it is a style of Distressing and Antiquing that goes with the Shabby Chic- Vintage style I like so much.

 

I had a small strand of the Antique Rosettes left in my stash that I colored with Cherry Cobbler. They were perfect for making the focal piece on the lower left of the card. I added a six loop bow made from Linen Thread that I attached on the back of the rosettes to give it a wispy background feel. The Tea Party  image was stamped twice, once in Basic Black and then again in Cherry Cobbler. I cut out the cherry cobbler tea set and mounted that on top on the black image for color and interest. The lacy background was made from one and a half Tea Laced Paper Doilies that I sponged with Cherry Cobbler ink all around the edges. Than, I cut out the center so I could manipulate the doily easier. I took a oval scrap of card stock and covered the back side with a Jumbo Sticky Round and slowly adhered the doily to it making delicate folds all the while. I taped the stamped Tea Party image and placed that on top of the lace scrap. I distressed the edges of the DSP with Crumb Cake ink and added a few 8mm Pearl halves black leaves and I was done. Here is a look at the side of this card.

  This next card was my husbands favorite. He thinks it is so funny when I tie a balloon around the neck of a stamped image (usually a giraffe) to make it look like it is going to fly away. This is a great Kids Birthday card they usually love it. The card is very colorful and cheery.

This one has the most folds and is the most technical, but once you get the hang of making the cuts and score lines the folds gets easier. I freehand cut all the balloons and added a little white gel pen slash to make it look like light was hitting the balloons. I think this DSP is perfect for a birthday card don't you? I stamped the image of the giraffe with StazOn ink and colored the image in with SU Markers. Then I fussy cut the image out. I mounted the giraffe on orange card stock so it would pop. Isn't he the cutest little giraffe. I loved the images in the Zoo Review stamp set.
Here is a look at the side of this card.


The best advise I can offer for making these fancy fold cards is to do each panel separately. For instance, there are five panels on the front of this card. I decorated each panel separately so I could get an idea of how and what I wanted to create. Lastly, use your Bone Folder often to get nice clean crisp folds.

I hope you liked my cards and are inspired enough to create a few for your self. These Fancy Fold cards really do make quite the impression when they are received "They are not just the same old regular card" they are more like a special gift with the gift. Have fun and enjoy our Blog Hop!

This link will get you back our web site http://www.vcrocks.blogspot.com/
so you can select another blog to hop to.


Please stop back by often and leave me a comment. I will answer any questions you may have regarding these projects and or anything I create.

Chat soon,
Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday 7/25/14

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

I can not believe it is July 25th all ready! My time flies when you are having fun! So far it has been a really great summer. We are harvesting veggies several times a week now and the tomatoes and strawberries are starting to ripen! We still  have Zucchini and Patty Pan squashes producing and lots of Eggplant still growing. The bush beans are still producing and so far we have gotten 26 ears of corn and the Edamame is beginning to produce as well.

I am really enjoying the pool and getting lots of sun! Being from California I require a lot of sun or I get sad. It's true!. I don't envy my fellow Californians they are is a severe drought. My Mom said it has been over 100 degrees all week there and no rain in sight YIKES! We get plenty of rain in WV that's for sure.

PS, COME BACK TOMORROW FOR ANOTHER FANTASTIC VC-ROCKS BLOG HOP. We will be showing you some fun Fancy Fold cards. My personal favorite type of cards to create! I'm so excited to show you!

OK let's get to the real reason you came here today right! Our fun sketches of course. I designed this weeks sketch. I sure hope you like it and play along! Don't forget to show us your creation we love seeing them!

 Here is my sketch,

and this is what I came up with,

I had no idea what I was going to make with this sketch this week. But I did want to use my favorite colors, Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White.  The colors and the sketch were my points of inspiration. Thank goodness SU has a sale on their DSP this month buy three and get one free because I am almost out of Maritime. I just love all the various colors in that set. But now I will have four new sets of DSP to play with. My order should be coming in soon. Anytime I can get my hands on new goodies I'm all in. I can't wait to get my inky fingers on the new Mini Catalog it should be arriving shortly too!

Supplies used to make this card

Card Stock-Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White
Ink- Real Red
DSP-Maritime
Embellishments- Rhinestones
Stamp Set- Sea Street

How about a look at the inside,

 

Well that's all there is to this weeks card. I hope you like the sketch. If you do create a card from it, please add it to our blog here.  We really do love to see your cards. http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Please come back tomorrow We have another fantastic Blog Hop with the very talented ladies over at VC Rocks. I created four fancy fold cards that I think you will really love.

I hope you were inspired by our sketch this week and find some time just for yourself to create something fun.

Chat soon,
Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday 7/18/14

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

Today we have a really interesting sketch for you to work with. I didn't know quite what to do with it when I first set eyes on it myself! Hum, what to do, what to do...
Good thing I had just received my Summer Card Maker Magazine and right on the front cover was a side step card!!! Well "what do you think about that" I said to myself? I think it would make a perfect card for this weeks sketch! Perfect was right! Thanks Card Maker for the additional inspiration! You never know when or where inspiration will get your Mojo flowing!

Here is our sketch for this weeks challenge. I do not know yet who came up with the design but, I better find out fast so I can give here credit right! I found out that Jennifer Kay designed this wonderful sketch for us! Great  Job Jennifer!!!

I thought long a hard as to what three focal image pieces I could use that would line up beautifully like on the sketch??? Even though I had used pin wheels on my 4th of July weeks card I knew I could line them up on the side steps and make a really fun and a really big impact on my card front.

Here is what I came up with.

I had so much fun making this card. Card Maker had great directions on how to cut and score this side step fold card on page 74. They call it a "Triple Play" card, I'm not sure what it is really called?

Here is a look at the card when it has been puled out a bit. You can see that I attached the (center) Smoky Slate Pin wheel on the very top of the first pull out smaller piece, and the Hello Honey pin wheel (top) is attached to the second pull out piece. I love how this card turned out and am so tickled because I have never made one of these before. I will definitely be making more of these in the near future. Really easy  to make and gives such an impact.

Now for a look at the inside sentiment.

Isn't this just the cutest card. I know who ever I send this one off to will just love it. Thanks again Card Maker and this weeks team designer for the inspiration.

Supplies used to make this card.

Ink- Blackberry Bliss
Paper- Whisper White, Hello Honey, Smoky Slate and Blackberry Bliss.
DSP- Moonlight
Stamp Set- From My Heart and Bravo
Misc- Paper Pumpkin Brads

 If you would like to give our sketch a try and maybe  even this side step card a try we would really like to see it. Please add it to our blog here http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Thanks again, for stopping by this week. We hope you are inspired and  find some time to create something fun! It's a proven fact that stamping makes your  soul happy and you a better person. So Stamp On and have fun getting your fingers inky.

Chat soon,
 Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday 7/11/14

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy and enjoying your summer!

I can not believe it is Friday already! Where is this week gone to? I know what I have been doing!  I am enjoying our new pool that's for sure! We finally got it up. It took us forever but we did it all by hand no renting equipment just a labor of love. It is an 18' Above ground pool that we bought last year at the end of the season. We didn't have time to put it up last year because we had just bought our house and we had plenty of other things to do. Next year it will be up by Memorial Day Weekend since all the hard work is done Yay Jeff! You are the Man!

 We have had it up for almost a week now and I have been it it everyday. The water is already at 85 degrees! Oh, it is just heaven! We are so blessed.

OK, enough of that pool- on with our Sketch Challenge. I designed this weeks sketch and here it is

I mad an extra tag pocket on the front so that you can add a secret message in the front pocket it you wanted. Here is my card

 I did add a secret message on my card. The following picture shows off the little tag message that offers a little Birthday Wish.

I just love this Designer Series Paper (DSP) called Maritime, there are so many different options/colors to choose from in the package.

Here is a look at the inside

Supplies used to create this card

Ink- Night of Navy

Paper- Whisper White, Real Red
DSP- Maritime
Stamp Set- Paper Pumpkin (PP) June and Really Good Greetings

Punches-Dotted Scallop Border

Embellishments- 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon Real Red, PP Silver Paper Clip, Basic Pearls, Candy Dots.

That's all there is to this weeks card. I hope you are inspired and create something fun for us to see. Please post it on our blog here
http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com 




Hope you all have a great week and find some time to create something fun.


Chat soon and thanks for stopping by,
Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday 4th of July style

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

                         HAPPY 4th OF JULY AMERICA

I hope you all are enjoying the Holiday and get to see some beautiful Fireworks and have some good old fashion picnic food this evening!

Here is our sketch for this week it was a lot of fun to work with and perfect for Independence Day. Our fearless leader Kimm came up with this weeks sketch. Great job Kimm!

I felt the Patriotic Theme to the sketch but took a bit of an artistic license on my card

I took one of the Pin Wheels from this months Paper Pumpkin and cut it down to fit the card front. The flag was very easy to make, I just cut several scraps of Real Red CS strips and taped them to the front of my Whisper White Card base evenly set apart. Then I cut a 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" scrap of Night of Navy and added a bunch of Basic Pearls for stars and put the Pin Wheel sort of off set on the Navy cs. I added a fun Linen Thread five loop bow and some extra strands of thread to look like streamers. I used a piece of the banner from the PP set  and stamped the stars and celebrate in Night of Navy.

Here is a look at the inside. I did not add a sentiment because I am using it as a center piece.

This card has a lot of POP and is very pretty in person. I think I will just keep it up for the weekend and add some more Pin-wheels and Banners to make an arrangement for my kitchen table.

This is a really short post we are watching a couple of our friends children this evening and I have to get dinner started. I hope you all have a fun and safe 4th.

Please play along with us and show us your amazing creation we would love to see it! Just add your card to our blog here http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com


Chat soon,
 Patrice